Lately I’ve
been thinking about selfishness and not in general terms but in very specific
terms- meaning my own. I used to think I
was a very unselfish person, but I think back on some of my mothering and have
to admit that I was. If I didn’t want to
play a certain thing then I wouldn’t despite my child wanting to. Is that not selfish? Or what about the many times I went to church
for how it would make me feel or to bless me and not for what I could
give? Then there are numerous times I
hid the chocolate so that I wouldn’t have to share.
Just last
year I gave two jars of peanut butter to a friend who immediately gave one to
her daughter- in front of me. I was
upset, realized how stupid that was, and considered the reasons why it upset
me: I wanted my friend to have enough to last a while, but she was sharing like
we should. John the Baptist spoke about
sharing/ being unselfish as being important. ‘If you have two coats give one…’
(Lk. 3:11) and Jesus expected much as indicated in His parables,
For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was
thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was
naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and
you came to Me. (people question- when did we do this?)
And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I
say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to
one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me. Mt.
25:35,36,40
(A man gets robbed and beaten. A priest and Levite walk by ignoring him.) But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and
seeing him, he was filled with pity. And coming near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine,
and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Lk. 10:33:34
Earlier today
I read something from a Christian that stated they own no possessions because
everything they have was given by God and is only for use to further God’s
kingdom. I can’t say that has always
been my outlook but I’m starting to think that way more and more. What do possessions matter anyway if they
cannot be used for good? Our houses are
filled up with things that serve no purpose to the kingdom
of God
Do not lay up treasures on earth ... But lay up
treasures in Heaven for yourselves, ... For where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also. Mt. 6:19-21
But seek first the kingdom
of God
And He said to them, Watch and keep yourselves from
covetousness. For a man's life is not in the abundance of the things which he
possesses. Lk. 12:15
More and more
I question our spending. Do our
possessions further God’s cause or are we heaping treasures to ourselves for
our own pleasure? We buy items (like
movies) for our collections but someone out there is starving. We buy books, music, holiday decorations to
enjoy but someone out there is without needed clothing. How is this stuff bringing glory to God? We play on the computer while someone is
lonely in the hospital. We spend time reading
but don’t visit those in prison. How is
our time usage bringing glory to God? According
to Scriptures- I am selfish with money and time. Ouch!
But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother
having need, and shuts up his bowels from him, how does the love of God dwell
in him? My children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in
truth. And in this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before Him, 1Jh. 3:17 -19
that they do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to share, to be generous, laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
1Tm. 6:18 ,19
(Jesus to a seeker) …Go, sell whatever you have and
give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up
the cross and follow Me. Mr 10: 21
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping
for nothing... Lk 6:35
Lord, help me change.
Help us all to
change…