GREED

On Sunday, I learned about my greed and how it comes in all forms and effects in many ways.
(I am following the SOAP study method: Scripture Observation Application Prayer

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FAVORITE THING I LEARNED:

Luke 12.15 My life is not made up of and does not consist of my possessions or acheivements.

OBSERVATION: I am not on this planet to serve myself and my selfish ambitions.

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain exhaltation, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

APPLICATION: I used to have a really hard time with this verse because I couldn't seem to quite understand what it meant to "consider others better than [myself]". I thought I had to keep denying myself of the things I wanted or wanted to do for the sake of others, but when I did this I always got burnt out and felt like I was losing my character, who I was. But my Pastor cleared this confusion up by saying this one time, "Don't think less of yourself, think of yourself less." This philosophy is backed up in Scripture in 1 Timothy 6:17, "...put [your] hope in God, who richely provides us with everything for our enjoyment." This was a revelation to my husband, Ryan and I because the last sentence says, "...for our enjoyment." God definitely doesn't want our walk and work in Him to be in vain, but this verse tells us that He provides for us for our personal enjoyment. God wants us to enjoy this life too. Yes, as Christians, we are guaranteed struggles (1 Peter 4:12, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.") but that is only half of the promises from God. So in conclusion, I need to make sure I am not being selfishly greedy and focus my life on the work I was desired by God to do, but not forget that God also desires me, His child, to enjoy His creations.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for continually revealing your truths to me. I pray I can learn to be better at discerning the difference between when it is time to let go of what I want to do to help others by being your hands and feet, and when it is ok to do something I like for my enjoyment, as you will. Amen!