Sometimes Paul uses harsh words to communicate a strong message. He rebukes the believers in the city of Galatia as foolish, and for pursuing weak, worthless, and beggarly elements. (Galatians 3:1; 4:8-9) God has chosen the believers who were slaves to Sin, Satan, World, Idols, and traditions as His children that they can call Him, Abba Father. But they foolishly choose to become beggars.
Glorious Gift: The gift of God is salvation, New Life, and Eternal Life, in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 6:23) The wages of sin are paid, by His substitutional death on the cross of Calvary and attested by Resurrection and Ascension.
Glorious Relationship: God does not say: “You are forgiven, get lost, do not show your face again.” He accepts the slaves and transforms them into His children. (John 1:12) Sinners and slaves become sons and daughters by forgiveness and love. Disciples belong to the family of God, the church. (Galatians 3:29; I Timothy 3:15)
Becoming Beggars? Paul was annoyed that having this great spiritual experience, the believers were going back to their old style of life. First, it was the idols. Whatever (things, place, or people) takes the place of God, consumes time and energy, and becomes worthless gods. These gods will sap all a person has and leave them as beggars. Strangely, people invent new gods, for new needs. For example, Visa God grants visas to developed nations for employment. Second, traditions are also worthless pursuits. They do not edify but give a false sense of satisfaction. Such elaborate and expensive rituals and pilgrimages will reduce a person spiritually and economically to a beggar. Third, people observe days, months, seasons, and years. There are auspicious times in a day, and do new things only at those times. Housewarming, marriages, the inauguration of new shops/businesses, and even churches are done in those times. Certain days of the week, and certain months in a year are inauspicious. They may not start a business on that day or build houses in those months.
Do I desire and diligently become and behave like a son/daughter?