Not deserving

So I often catch myself telling my kids they haven't earned something. They ask if they can do this or do that and my reply is a firm, "No, you haven't cleaned your room" , or sometimes it's , "No, you haven't finished your supper." These are very valid points and when it comes to raising children they need to have guidelines and rules. They need to be taught that in order to get some things they need to do what is expected of them. They need to deserve them, as we would say.
I now find myself in a situation where Tara and I are scratching our heads. We sit back and it is sometimes very easy to think that we deserve to get helped out of our predicament. We feel at times as prideful, sinful humans that we are entitled to some one stepping in and helping us. After all, we do a lot of work with the kids in the inner city, we chaplain a football team, we coach girls' softball, we skip our own Christmas bonus to help out others and so on. We do each of these things because we are compassionate about others and their needs. We really and truly don't do them to score points to cash in later. But these are the thoughts that Satan puts in our heads, thoughts that we are entitled to a better life, to being helped by others. But it just isn't so.
All you need to do is read Romans 5:8 and see that it isn't so. It says, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
There is a lot said in that short verse. First of all it was done as a demonstration of GOd's love. Not to prove a point, not to prove his power, but to demonstrate His love for His creation.
Secondly, it happened while we were still sinners. Think about that, Christ died for us as sinners, not even as the saved. Jesus CHrist, endured the cross, endured the humiliation of all that entailed His final days, and He did it for sinners.
I know the market is worse now, at an all time low but just 2-3 years ago did you try to get a loan. They check your credit to see if you are paying off other debts the way you should. Then, they see if what you are trying to borrow money to buy is worth what you are borrowing. They do all these tests to see basically if you are worthy.
Think about your spiritual credit, what would your score be? think about your life and your lifestyle, is it worth the blood of CHrist? It is a humbling experience indeed to read this verse and see that I already have received a hundred fold more than what I deserve.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!