2021-09-30
1 Corinthians 10:33 NCV
The Bible says: ‘In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God’ (2 Timothy 3:1-4 NLT).
This entire passage is a good definition of selfishness and what can come from it when we let a selfish attitude guide our lives. And if we’re being honest with ourselves, there are probably things in there that we’ve done on occasion. Being completely unselfish is difficult, but that doesn’t excuse us from trying to reach it.
Here are some steps to help: 1) ‘Continue following the teachings you learned’ (v.14 NCV). We should try to keep focused on God by spending time with Him every day and regularly read His Word. As we grow our relationship with Him, we’ll be more sensitive to His guidance, and more aware of His gentle correction if we stray towards selfishness.
2) When we have enough to meet our own needs, we should be willing to say yes to God when He asks us to meet someone else’s need. Paul wrote: ‘I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved.’ Our generosity can point people towards God’s love, as well as blessing them in that moment.
3) Find a mentor. They can help us identify when we’re slipping towards selfishness and support us in getting back on God’s path.
1 Sam 16-17; Luke 24:1-12; Ps 68:1-18; Prov 22:1-5
1 Corinthians 10:33 NKJV
Here’s a group you don’t want to be part of: “In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4 NKJV). There’s nothing wrong with making money. Indeed, if you honour the Lord He will help you to make more of it (See Deuteronomy 8:18, Isaiah 48:17, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:8).
But here’s a Bible principle you must live by to walk in the blessing of God. When you have enough money to meet your own needs, you must be willing to say yes to God when He asks you to meet someone else’s need. If you’d like to conquer selfishness and become more generous, here are some steps:
(1) Give away something that you would prefer to keep. The goal is to break your emotional attachment to material things.
(2) Graduate to anonymous benevolence. Leave a needy person such as a senior citizen, a student or a single parent a cash gift in an envelope. Don’t put your name on it, and don’t tell anyone you did it. And no, you can’t claim it as a tax deduction. But God promises to return it to you many times over, and in the areas where you need it most (See Galatians 6:7).
(3) Have someone you trust monitor your progress. Meet with them throughout the year and invite them to ask you not about how much money you made, but how much you’ve given away to help others.
If you’re serious about conquering selfishness, these are steps you’ll be willing to take.
Soul food: 1 Sam 16-17; Luke 24:1-12; Ps 68:1-18; Prov 22:1-5
1 Korintiërs 10:33 NLV
Hier is ‘n groep waarvan jy nie deel wil wees nie: ‘…jy moet ook dít weet… dat daar gedurende die laaste dae moeilike tye sal kom. Want mense sal net hulleself en hulle geld liefhê… hulle sal plesier liewer hê as vir God’ (2 Timoteus 3:1-4 NLV).
Daar is niks fout daarmee om geld te maak nie. Inteendeel, as jy die Here eer, sal Hy jou help om meer daarvan te maak (sien Deuteronomium 8:18, Jesaja 48:17, Lukas 6:38, 2 Korintiërs 9:8). Daar is egter ‘n Bybelse beginsel waarvolgens jy moet lewe om in God se seën te deel. Wanneer jy genoeg geld het om aan jou eie behoeftes te voldoen, moet jy gewillig wees om ja vir God te sê wanneer Hy jou vra om aan iemand anders se behoefte te voldoen.
As jy graag selfsug wil oorwin en meer vrygewig wil word, is daar ‘n paar stappe wat jy kan neem: 1) Gee iets weg wat jy eerder sou wil hou. Die doel daarvan is om jou gehegtheid aan materiële dinge te verbreek.
2) Beoefen anonieme welwillendheid. Los ‘n kontantgeskenk vir ‘n bejaarde, ‘n student of ‘n enkelouer in ‘n koevertjie. Moenie jou naam daarop skryf nie en moenie enigiemand daarvan vertel nie. Nee, jy kan dit ook nie van belasting aftrek nie. God beloof egter om dit veelvoudig aan jou terug te besorg, in die areas waar jy dit die meeste nodig het (sien Galasiërs 6:7).
3) Laat iemand wat jy vertrou, jou vordering monitor. Ontmoet hulle dwarsdeur die jaar en nooi hulle uit om nie te vra hoeveel geld jy gemaak het nie, maar hoeveel jy aan ander mense weggegee het.
As jy ernstig daaroor is om selfsug te oorkom, is hierdie die stappe wat jy gewillig sal wees om te neem.
Sielskos: 1 Sam 16-17; Luk 24:1-12; Ps 68:1-18; Spr 22:1-5
2021-09-29
Proverbs 19:17 NCV
Here are four ways in which we can express kindness and generosity towards others. 1) Giving our time. Giving a few hours of our time to someone, especially if we’re usually busy, can mean the world to a person who’s hurting.
2) Giving our skills. There are so many organisations and charities that can use our skills in their efforts to help others. We can also use them to help a friend or someone in our community. Are you good at cooking? Why not prepare a meal or bake a cake for someone who’s lonely. Can you handle a paintbrush? You could offer to paint a garden fence for someone who’s experiencing health problems at the moment. There are countless ways we can use our skills to bless others.
3) Giving your treasure. The Bible says: ‘Being kind to the poor is like lending to the LORD; he will reward you for what you have done.’ That doesn’t mean we should give because we’ll get something in return, but when we’re giving with the right motives, we shouldn’t be afraid of being generous, because God will honour our compassion.
4) Giving your temperament. Everyone we meet is struggling with something and fighting battles they usually don’t talk about. So a smile and a word of encouragement can be like a lifeline that helps keep them afloat that day.
We need to decide, ‘I will not let this day end until I have said or done something to help, bless, and encourage another person.’ Today pray: ‘Father, thank You for every resource and advantage You’ve given me. Help me to always remember that these blessings are from You, and that they should be shared with others for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.’
1 Sam 14-15; Luke 23:44-56; Ps 91; Prov 21:28-31
Proverbs 19:17 NKJV
Here are four ways in which you can express kindness and generosity toward others.
(1) Giving your time. Giving a few hours of your time to someone, especially if you’re a busy person, can mean the world to a person who’s hurting.
(2) Giving your talent. Organizations like Habitat For Humanity and Doctors Without Borders marshal the talents of gifted people to relieve suffering and provide shelter to the needy. That’s Scriptural! (See Matthew 25:34-46).
(3) Giving your treasure. “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” Can you imagine the interest God pays?
(4) Giving your temperament. Everybody you meet, struggles with anxieties and fights battles they usually don’t talk about. So, your smile and word of encouragement can be like a lifeline that helps keep them afloat that day. Selfishness is so innate in each of us that it’s like breathing; we do it without thinking.
So, in order to change we must rearrange our priorities and reprogram our minds and decide, “I will not let this day pass until I have said or done something to help, bless, and encourage another human being.” God told Abraham, “I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2 NKJV).
Today pray: “Father, I thank you for every resource and advantage you have given me. Help me always to remember that these blessings are from you, and that they are to be shared with others for your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.”
Soul food: 1 Sam 14-15; Luke 23:44-56; Ps 91; Prov 21:28-31
