Mine, Mine, Mine!

“A psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” -Psalm 24:1

A three year-old child grabbed at the toy another little girl was holding, screaming, “That’s Mine!” I looked at her and explained to her that it does not belong to her. Tearfully, she pouted and turned away still mumbling the words, "It's Mine".

Have you ever slipped into that same attitude when it comes to what God has given you? 

The bible says, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) Greed and selfishness are sins that we must work toward abolishing. Although this might be difficult to do, as Christians, we should try our very best to live a holy life. Think not of what you can do for yourself - but think of what you can do for others. We should spend our days giving to others and not keeping score. Whether it is a small amount of money from your purse God expects you to hand to someone homeless, your lunch God expects to you to give up for a day and give to someone else, a check you place in the offering, the meal you share, sharing your home with someone needing a place to live, your talent in writing or speaking…there are so many things that have been gifted to us by our gracious Lord, the creator of all. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)

We may think we have earned our pay or all that we have, but God gives you each day to work and the physical and mental ability to do all that you are supposed to do. “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” (John 3:27) He forgives us of our sins, having paid for them on the cross. He lovingly blesses us with more than we deserve. We may not be buds. We may not be bff’s. We may not even be friends. But we are all neighbors, and we are called to love one another. We are all created in the image and likeness of God. We are not called to love possessions; we are called to love God and to love one another. Know that all that we have is the Lord's and use it for His glory by blessing others. God wants us to be generous!  

Are you willing to freely share your time, your money, your treasures, and all that God has given you, or do you cling to it and claim that it is “all mine?" Can you reflect on all of the times in your life that you were completely selfless? Is it hard to think of specific instances? Each of us has something to give. Some have wealth, some have talents, some have time. Whatever gifts we have been given -- large or small -- we should share generously. When we do, we make the world better for someone else, and we will find true meaning and satisfaction in our own lives.

Father God, may I always remember that all I have is Yours to give or take away. Thank You that You provide so much for me. Keep me from being greedy. Help me to always peel my fingers away and offer what you have given me back to You to use for Your glory, be it my money, my treasures, my time, or my talents. In The Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.