From the Pulpit: What we miss by being selfish
When we write these articles, we are given a subject to write about. This month we are using “selfishness” for a subject. My first thoughts went to the two women who had both given birth to a baby and one of the babies died.
Both mothers claimed the live baby. The “wise judge” decided to divide the live baby between the two women. The real mother said, “no, give the baby to her.”
The real mother did not want her baby to die, so she was willing to give her baby away. The mother of the dead baby was so selfish that she was willing to take half of a dead baby. This let the judge know who was the real mother.
With that thought, the Lord reminded me of a scripture where Paul said, “remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
At first, I thought how strange and then I began to realize that people who are selfish do not know the joy of giving. I often ask people to stretch their hands out toward me. While you are reading this, take the time right now and stretch your hand out. If it is turned up, you are expecting to receive. But if it is turned down, you are a giver.
We have raised a society that is takers and not givers. Every child that has ever shared with another child did not start out sharing. We had to teach them to share. Somewhere along the way, we forgot to continue to teach that lesson.
When I first became a Christian 35 years ago, I thought whoever said, “it is more blessed to give than receive” didn’t really understand how good it felt to receive. I did not know that Jesus said that, but I was being selfish and only wanting to be blessed by someone else.
Looking back, I now know I am much more blessed by giving than I am by receiving.
My family and I often receive gifts from people who need things a lot more than we do, but I have learned when I don’t accept those gifts, I am robbing them of a blessing.
If you find yourself being selfish, find someone who is in need or just someone you want to bless and give them a special gift. You will soon realize that you are being blessed for thinking of others.
When Jesus talked about it being more blessed to give than receive, He was referring to our need to support the weak. He said, “I have showed you all things,” which means He is the example for us to follow.
The greatest example of not being selfish was Jesus going to a cross and giving His life for us that we could be counted righteous by His death.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Let me encourage you to always be blessed by giving. Remember, there is nothing selfish about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr. Donnie Cadenhead is Pastor of Victorious Life Worship Center located one mile north of Crestview High School on S.R. 85 North. Sunday morning worship is at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday evening service is at 6 p.m. Family night is Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
