New Lutheran Quote of the Day

In sin people had so turned from God and giving that they dealt with others to get from them what they wanted.  Man was set against man, each striving to get for himself what he wanted, and happiness was driven far away.  However, this is not the most dire destruction of happiness.  People also dealt with God in such a way as to get from God what they wanted.  They would not be given to by God.  No, what they got they would get by themselves.  They insisted that if they got anything from God, it was not a gift but had been earned.  They would do their bit and claim their reward.  Therefore, it was necessary for God to show people what their wages were.  If they refused God's gifts and demanded what He owed to them, God would tell them plainly what they owed.  -- Dr. Norman Nagel, Selected Sermons, pp. 204,5.