Yours, Mine, And Ours

When we take our money and hold tight
concentrating on it with all our might,
We act as though it belongs only to us.
That shows our lack of trust,
for if we really care,
then we will share.

Knowledge and wealth must be released
for God's kingdom to increase.
If our goal is to reach,
then we must not hoard but teach.
How can we influence and enlist
if we don't assist?

We must freely give
in order to fully live.
The more we try to possess,
the more we end up with less.

God has entrusted us with His way,
expecting us to share it every day.
Wherever we go and whatever we do,
to His word we must remain true.

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger (Romans 2:8)

SELFISHNESS STUNTS GROWTH

Toys In The Attic
When we were little children, our parents constantly reminded us to share our toys with others. We would say "mine" and hold the toy tight, until our parents pried it out of our hands. These were our first lessons against selfishness.

• Are you a spiritual toddler, holding on to everything and thinking that it is yours exclusively?

As older children, we promised our best friends that we'd share everything we have with each other. "Share and share alike" is what we said. We exchanged clothes, comic books, and sometimes even our homework assignments. When one of us couldn't come out and play until our work was done, we'd pitch in and help the other so we could move on to the important tasks of making mud pies.

Life was so much simpler then. Since those days, somehow selfishness has crept into our lives. We've forgotten the pleasure of doing things together, sharing our knowledge with others, the joy of working together. We've stopped focusing on "we" and instead begin everything with "me".

Why should we help others when we've worked so hard to get where we are? If we share our knowledge, then others will get credit for what we know.

• Do you volunteer information readily, or wait until you are asked? Do you take delight in having people have to ask you for information? Do you hold back just a little of what you know to keep the person coming back to you for more?

• If you are trying to have more than others, expect less from God.

• God looks at the heart, not worldly possessions. God is pleased when you make a conscious effort to be more like Him by sharing with others.

Two People Share a Raincoat as They Hurry Down a Rainy Street

• Do you have a giving heart, mind, mouth, and spirit? Or, are you still clamping your mouth, turning your head, closing your eyes, and idling your hands?

• When you give, do you expect something in return?

• Are you looking out for your own interests--or are you concerned about advancing the Kingdom of God?

• The more you serve God, the less you will serve yourself, and the more you will serve others. Try thinking less of yourself and more of God.

• Your self-serving efforts to look good among others are always exposed to God.

• Whatever you keep for yourself, God can easily take away. There is nothing you can hide from God, including your selfishness.

Woman Holding Money
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 2:3-5)

Do we want God to separate Himself from us because He cannot trust us with the knowledge He shares?

Almighty Father,

I give thanks and glory to You for all the things that You have done,
not just for me but for the entire world.
I pray for an increase in my spirit of giving and sharing,
and that it will come naturally, without any hesitation or reservation.
Let me take delight in sharing as much as I can with others.

I admit my weakness in sharing all of the wonderful things You have provided to me.
Let me no longer think about myself first, second, or third -- only last, if at all.
Amen

resources: No compromises
Rhonda Owen-Smith

all posters

Mimi