Greed and jealousy are sibling sins that always seem to go hand in hand. We want stuff because we see that someone else already has it. Obviously we have to keep up with our neighbors, the Joneses, because as American culture would have us believe, we are all entitled to the biggest, the best, and the most stuff whether we worked for it or not. This attitude has slowly seeped into Christian circles as well, including my own heart (unfortunately).
I took one of my nephews out for ice cream yesterday to celebrate his birthday. We also went by Target, per his request, so he could use some of his birthday money to buy new "Hex Bugs." He was very excited that he had enough money to buy three of them, and couldn't wait to get home and show them to his big brother. However, when big brother saw that little brother had three new bugs, he was immediately jealous and strongly suggested that his little brother give him one of the new ones. To keep. He found it unfair that someone else had something he didn't and he wasn't excited about his little brother's forthcoming birthday party sure to be fraught with fun and exciting gifts that aren't going to be his.
I share that to note that we are born selfish. It is an embarrassingly innate quality that we have to be taught to push aside for the betterment of others. (Even my one-year-old tries to push other children out of HIS Grammy's lap in the church nursery. Grammy entitlement.) Fortunately, my nephews have patient, understanding parents who know that sympathy and empathy will not be learned overnight. They persevere daily to teach their children to put others first, and I am certain that they will reap future benevolent sons (and daughter) from their efforts now.
But am I that much different from my sweet nephew? I may be older and more mature on the outside, but don't I still desire more, more, more without really even taking time to appreciate what I already have? All of this came to a head today as I prayed, "Lord, what can I give? What do You want me to give away?" I sat in a spiritual shock after I uttered those words because I realized it was the first time I had ever done so with a truly sincere heart.
-Heather
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