“Deserve” is Not a Biblical Concept...Is it?

I jokingly say this to my wife, Brittany, whenever the concept of deserving something comes up. She rolls her eyes.

It’s true- “deserve” is not really biblical language. It’s in the Bible, of course. The majority of the references are positive (someone is given something more than they deserve, or they do not receive a consequence they perceive they deserve).

On the aggregate, though, we know God’s plan is to draw all people together under his love, regardless of who they are and what they’ve done. The God of the Bible is a God who undermines our understanding of the word “deserve” by blessing all of creation in a way that it does not “deserve.”

But, when I ask the question, “Do you deserve to thrive?” I’m not asking if you were born good or sinful or if God loves you or if there’s life after death.

I’m asking if you recognize your own value.

I’m asking if you recognize your own worth.

I’m asking if you recognize that you’re worthy of love.

I’m asking if you recognize that you deserve to live a life worth living (of course, there are many questions about how we go about doing that).

So, do you deserve to thrive?