2023-07-24
Galatians 5:13 KJV
Do you have an “I-O-YOU” attitude or a “U-O-ME” attitude? What gives us an attitude of entitlement? It’s found in the middle of the word entitlement itself: “title.” We assume people owe us because of the title we hold in their lives: wife, husband, mother, brother, daughter, friend, pastor, donor, employee, boss, etc. We think of our title as a title deed that gives us the right to whatever advantage we expect. Paul described the essence of discipleship in these words: “By love serve one another.” If you have an attitude of entitlement, here are some strategies to help you overcome it:
(1) Understand the difference between your “rights” and your “desires.” You have the right to expect your husband or wife to be faithful to you, but you don’t have the right to expect them to wait on you hand and foot. “For God so loved… that he gave” (John 3:16 KJV). True love is marked by giving, not taking.
(2) Live by the Golden Rule (See Matthew 7:12). Jesus said that whatever you want others to do for you, take the initiative and begin doing it for them. You say, “But what if they don’t return the favour?” God will reward you anyway! “He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10 NLT).
(3) Never assume that a person’s past kindness creates an ongoing obligation to you. God may use others to bless you, but He alone must always be the source you trust to meet your needs (See James 1:17).
Soul food: Acts 14-15; Matt 27:33-44; Ps 65; Prov 16:8-9
2023-07-23
Spreuke 13:7 NLV
Die Bybel sê: ‘Sommige mense gee voor hulle is ryk, maar hulle het eintlik niks nie. Ander maak of hulle arm is, maar intussen besit hulle baie’ (vers 7 NLV). Dis ‘n seën om die goed te hê wat geld kan koop, solank as wat jy dit wat geld nie kan koop nie, nie uit die oog verloor nie. Geld kan enigiets koop wat te kope is. Die grootste dinge in die lewe, soos jou gesondheid en jou verhoudings, kan egter nie met geld gekoop word nie.
Jy kan dit wat die Bybel oor geld sê met die volgende drie stellings opsom:
1) Wie jy is, is belangriker as wat jy besit. ‘Dit is beter om arm te wees en eerbaar te lewe as om oneerlik te lewe en ryk te wees’ (Spreuke 28:6 NLV).
2) Wat God in jou sien, is belangriker as wat jy besit. ‘Dit is baie beter om min te hê en ook respek vir die Here, as om groot rykdom te besit met die onrus daarmee saam’ (Spreuke 15:16 NLV).
3) Wat ander van jou dink, is belangriker as wat jy besit. ‘Soek eerder na ‘n goeie naam as na groot rykdom. Hoë aansien is beter as silwer of goud’ (Spreuke 22:1 NLV).
Moenie probeer om tred te hou met die bure nie. Die bure mag dalk een stappie weg van bankrotskap of die skeihof wees. Die waarheid is dat jy nooit gelukkig sal wees met wat jy het, totdat jy leer om gelukkig te wees met dit wat ander mense het en jy nie het nie. Die Bybel sê vir ons dat hebsug ‘n sonde is. En hebsug is eenvoudig om nie te geniet wat God vir jou gegee het nie!
Sielskos: 2 Kon 20:1-11; Heb 8:7-13
Proverbs 13:7 NKJV
The Bible says, “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches” (v. 7 NKJV). It’s a blessing to have the things money can buy, as long as you don’t lose sight of the things it can’t buy. Money can buy whatever is for sale. But the greatest things in life, like your health and your relationships, can’t be bought because they’re not for sale. You could sum up much of what the Bible has to say about money with these three bottom-line statements:
(1) What you are is more crucial than what you have. “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6 NKJV).
(2) What God sees in you is more crucial than what you have. “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble” (Proverbs 15:16 NKJV).
(3) What others think of you is more crucial than what you have. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1 NKJV).
Don’t worry about “keeping up with the Joneses.” The Joneses might be one step from bankruptcy or the divorce court. Furthermore, if you did catch up with the Joneses, they would just refinance. The truth is, you will never be happy with what you have until you learn to be happy with what others have – that you don’t have. The Bible tells us covetousness is a sin. And covetousness is simply failing to enjoy what God has given you!
Soul food: 2 Kings 20:1-11; Heb 8:7-13
2023-07-22
1 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV
Bulldozers are good at demolishing things, but they’re useless at building things. With that picture in mind, ask yourself, “Do I use the force of my personality and the power of my position to impose my will on people and get them to do things my way?” If your answer is yes, then understand this: Those who are the most controlling are often the most afraid of being controlled!
Question: What do you fear would happen if you treated others with respect and considered their input, ideas, and choices? Is fear and intimidation the only way you can imagine of holding on to relationships? Wouldn’t you rather earn the love of others by being considerate rather than cruel, or are you willing to settle for fearful submission? If you need to, talk to a friend or counselor and try to get to the root of the deeper issues that are driving your behaviour.
Over the next week, try not to criticize or rob anyone of his or her right to choose. Remember that even God gives people the power of choice. And you’re not God. Keep this challenge going for two more weeks or for as long as it takes to get your controlling attitude under control.
Paul was prolific enough to write the epistles and powerful enough to raise the dead, yet he said, “We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (v. 7 NKJV). When people made mistakes, Paul said, “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 NKJV). So, the word for you today is – try to be more gentle.
Soul food: Acts 12-13; Matt 27:27-32; Ps 14; Prov 16:6-7
1 Tessalonisense 2:7 AFR83
Stootskrapers is goed daarmee om goed af te breek, maar hulle is nutteloos om goed te bou. Met hierdie prentjie in jou gedagtes, vra jouself: ‘Gebruik ek die krag van my persoonlikheid en die mag van my posisie om my wil op mense af te dwing en hulle sover te kry om dinge op my manier te doen?’ As die antwoord ja is, moet jy die volgende verstaan: Diegene wat die meeste in beheer probeer wees, is dikwels die bangste om beheer te word!
Wat is jy bang sal gebeur as jy ander mense met respek hanteer en hulle insette, idees en keuses oorweeg? Is vrees en intimidasie die enigste manier waaraan jy kan dink om aan verhoudings vas te klou? Sal jy nie eerder die liefde van ander mense wil verdien deur bedagsaam eerder as wreed te wees nie, of is jy bereid om met vreesbevange onderwerping tevrede te wees?
Probeer vir die volgende week om niemand te kritiseer of hulle reg om te kies by hulle te steel nie. Hou aan om jouself hiermee uit te daag vir solank as wat dit neem om jou oorheersende houding onder beheer te kry. Paulus was produktief genoeg om die sendingbriewe te skryf en kragtig genoeg om die dooies op te wek, maar hy het gesê: ‘…Ons was liefdevol en sag teenoor julle soos ‘n ma wat haar kinders vertroetel’ (vers 7 NLV).
Wanneer mense foute maak, het Paulus gesê: ‘…wanneer iemand iets doen wat verkeerd is, moet julle wat deur die Gees gelei word, daardie persoon nederig reghelp. Wees baie versigtig dat jy nie ook versoek word nie’ (Galasiërs 6:1 NLV). Die woord vir jou vandag is dus – probeer om meer liefdevol en sag te wees.
Sielskos: Hand 12-13; Matt 27:27-32; Ps 14; Spr 16:6-7
