What if I’m not good enough for God?

Question:

I read something on your website about a statement made that says that if a person could not be trusted with things on earth, then why would God trust him with things in heaven?

Does this mean if somebody is a complete failure, they have no hope of even getting to heaven?  How does somebody cope, if they truly have no hope of even being in heaven?

There are verses that mention that trees that don't bear fruit get cut off and thrown into the fire.  I would assume that means the person ends up in hell.  Is there any hope of a person avoiding hell if they are unable to produce fruit?  What if a person really desires God but God decides to reject the person for not being good enough for Him?

Answer:

The passage you refer to is: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" (Luke 16:10-12). In this context, Jesus is asking the Pharisees what they have done with the things God has loaned to them. We can view that all that we have is a temporary loan to us from God since we are just passing through this world and we can't take anything with us when we leave.

Thus, we need to consider what produce God is looking for. He certainly doesn't care if we make thousands of dollars with the money we have.

  • We are to be filled with the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:10-11). These fruits are gained after we have gone through hardships (Hebrews 12:11).
  • Changes in our behavior are fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). "For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9). After giving a list of character attributes, Peter said, "For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:2-8).
  • Helping the poor saints is a fruit (Romans 15:26-28). "As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness" (II Corinthians 9:9-10).
  • Helping support the spread of the Gospel. "For even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:16-18).
  • Maintaining good works is also a fruit. "Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful" (Titus 3:14). These are not works that men decide are good, but doing the things that God commands of us, such gives glory to God. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
  • Learning from God and living a life pleasing to God is a fruit. "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:5-6).
  • Whenever the gospel is taught, it produces fruit. "Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth" (Colossians 1:5-6). This is broader than converting souls to Christ, which is also important. But whenever we teach people about the truth and morality, it shapes people and moves them toward righteousness.
  • When you worship God and give Him praise, that is a fruit. "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).
  • And, of course, the one most people think of first, winning souls to Christ is a fruit (John 4:35-36; Proverbs 11:30; Romans 1:13).

Too often we discount the things we are able to do. We think we are worthless because we haven't talked someone into becoming a Christian. But that is just one aspect of being fruitful. Your words of encouragement, being helpful to someone in need, or even supporting someone who is good at teaching others are all just as important to God.