Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Selfishness (02/14/05)
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TITLE: My Stuff | Previous Challenge Entry
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02/20/05 -
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“Do you understand what Mommy means by ‘don’t be selfish’?”
He looked down at his feet. “It means I have to share my stuff.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to share, isn’t it?” I tried to be gentle with his already shattered emotions.
“Yeah.” His voice was low. “Sometimes I don’t want to share.”
“I know,” I began, “but even though it’s hard, you know it’s the right thing to do, don’t you?” He nodded but I noticed his grip tightening slightly on the toy in question. “Why do you think sharing is important?”
“’Cause God says so.” I admired the simplicity of his answer.
“You’re right,” I said. “All our stuff comes from God and it pleases Him to see us sharing it with others.”
“Would Matthew be happy if I gave him my truck?”
“Matthew would be happy if you shared,” I replied, “but more importantly God would be happy.”
He gazed down at the truck while he considered his options then peered over at Matthew who was watching the whole scene, wondering what the outcome would be. Then Logan timidly walked across the room and handed Matthew the truck. Immediately they fell alongside each other and continued their game as if nothing happened. They played shoulder to shoulder like a well-oiled machine and I marveled.
As I stood there watching, I thought of how the whole lesson related to the body of Christ. We are accountable to our brothers and sisters in Christ. If one member suffers, the whole body suffers. (1 Corinthians 12:26) When we are busy with our specific tasks, the work becomes almost effortless and the church runs smoothly. But when even one member neglects his job or his calling, things can fall apart.
As adults, it’s usually not our “stuff” that we have trouble sharing, but what about our time and our abilities? God has given each member of the body gifts to share, talents to be used for the benefit of other members. There’s no getting around it; if we bury those talents, it’s sin.
I thought back to the prior moments and my talk with Logan. Was the situation really that different from what we deal with as adults? I don’t always like to share. My time is precious and I have to admit, I’m sometimes very stingy with it. And what about my talents? God has blessed me with many good gifts but how often have I horded them to myself instead of freely sharing them with others? How many times has God had to pry my fingers off of something that He freely gave me and asked me to share it with a fellow brother or sister in Christ?
No matter the age, sharing our “stuff” is sometimes not easy. But God clearly states in Galatians 5:19 & 20, that selfishness is sin. We are expected to use the gifts and talents God has given us for His glory and to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. To do anything less may cause our heavenly Father to teach us a lesson!
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Excellent piece.