To God Be the Glory, Forever

March 11th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Romans 11:35-36 Or who has first given to [God] that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

The expected answer to Paul’s rhetorical question in Romans 11:35 is that absolutely no one has ever given anything to God that has somehow put God in their debt. Of course it is certainly true that people give praise and honor and glory to God every day, but does God owe them in return? It is clear that nothing man can give to God, whether money or praise, is ever given to Him as a credit or favor in which God somehow owes them something in return. Sadly, people tend to reject this. For this is the basis of works-salvation and all the religions of the world that practice it. People think they can do good things, either directly or indirectly to earn God’s favor. Those who give to God directly do things like give Him praise or give money to their church or help a missionary. In short, they are religious. Indirectly, and apart from organized religion, people think that saving another person’s life or teaching a child the good principles of life will put God in their debt. Truth is, nothing puts God in man’s debt. Absolutely nothing!

Verse 35 is actually a loose quote from Job 41:11 where God asks Job, “Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” While Job was demanding a reason as to why he was suffering as he was, though unjustly from his point of view, God was telling Job that He owed Job no explanation and no apology. All can identify with Job, for most of us want to know “Why?” Why did my father die when I was so young? Why was I born with cancer? Why did that small child have to die in that car wreck? Why was that young woman kidnapped and held against her will? Why did I lose my job? Our questions reveal that we believe we are being treated unfairly. God is often viewed as Santa Claus—we act good, and He owes us something good. If we receive something evil, such treatment either means that God does not care about us or that He is not able to keep evil from us.

But in spite of all man’s complaints, God owes no one anything. The opposite is true! Man owes God everything—from the air he breathes to the space on earth he occupies to the food he consumes to the body he possesses. All are gifts from God. Though we might expect something in return, we could give all our wealth and all of our time—even our very life—and we still would not deserve anything good from God in return. We killed His Son, so how can He owe us?

Explaining what he means in v. 36, Paul says that, first, God is the source of all things: from Him…are all things. He is the Creator. Second, God is the sustainer of all things: through Him… are all things. He thus holds His creation together, being the first cause of all things and giving all things purpose. Third, God is the receiver of glory for all things: to Him are all things. Swindoll says, “Think of it! That includes your current situation. That includes what you cannot figure out. That includes your loss of employment. That includes your promotion. That includes the blessing of your family. That includes the loss of your precious loved one. That includes the bewildering test you’re enduring. That includes whatever situation you happen to be in right now, regardless of how painful or how pleasant it might be. All things.”

If there were a man who could say such things about himself, perhaps all glory could go to that man. But since God alone is responsible for all things, all glory is due Him for eternity. Amen—so let it be!

Food For Thought
When is the last time you just sat back and thought about God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Receiver of all things? Try it today. Set aside all that ails you, and just think about the greatness of our God. Let your praise flow from your deep thoughts of God.