The many advancements in technology gives us access to a plethora of information. The age we live in is the information age. We are constantly bombarded daily with information. From TV commercials to social media ads, someone is constantly feeding a message. The most common message is these ads and commercials send us, is an overwhelming message of greed. This message of greed is not from the Father, but is from this world. The world is constantly telling us that we have is not good enough, we need more. The world tells us that we should strive to have the next big thing. Even cell phone companies tell us the phones we currently have are not good enough. They say we need the latest version.
Well what does the Word of God say about how we should live? Proverbs 11: 24-25 tells us that “one who gives freely, grows richer; another who withholds what he should give, only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and the one who waters will himself be watered.” This scripture shows us that God is calling us to a life of generosity. All throughout scripture, God sends us the message of self-sacrifice. Jesus Himself modeled for us a life poured out as an offering for others. He gave up the comforts of Heaven, to die a gruesome death to pay for the sins of the world. So how do we follow His example and live a life of generosity in a world filled with greed?
Understand that the Earth is the Lord’s.
Psalms 24:1 says, “The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein.” Everything belongs to God. Everything. You are merely a steward of the His things. Imagine trusting someone to manage your assets. You have places you want your assets to be managed, but the one you hired to manage your assets doesn’t do what you ask. The manager of your assets decides to do what they want to do instead. When we don’t seek God, and ask Him how He wants His assets managed, we bring dishonor to Him. We must seek His guidance on how to manage His assets, and not just do with them as we please. Everything you have is one of God’s assets. The breath you have in your body, the money you have, your time, etc. It all belongs to God. Ask Him how He wants it to be distributed.
Recognize Greed as a Sin and Repent.
We can’t change what we don’t acknowledge. In order to transform our hearts from hearts of greed to hearts of generosity, we must confess our sins and repent. To repent simply means to turn completely away from something you once did. If you used to do something, you stop doing it and do what God wants instead. Once we confess and repent God will come in and bring transformation and healing.
Start Where You Are, Today.
Matthew 25:35-40 says, “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” This scripture is just a glimpse of what we as disciples of Christ should be doing from the kingdom.
What do these things look like for you? Is there a nursing home you can volunteer at? Start there. When was the last time you told someone about Jesus and all that He has done for you? Start there. You might not have a ton of money, but is there someone you know that could use a few groceries? Start there. No matter where you are, there is somewhere you can start developing a heart of generosity. So start today.
