Self or Others?

Acts 20:35 "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ "

We live in a country, here in the US, where we have so much, compared to a lot of other places. Yet, we can be very selfish and ungrateful. I remember one of the missions trips to Mexico I participated in years ago. It was amazing to see how little they had at the orphanage we stayed at, compared to how much we have here. Yet, it was surprising to see how content they were. I found that the difference was that they were grateful for what they had, and did not focus on what they did not have. Everything they bought, when they could afford to, and everything they already had, had a purpose. Everything was used for something. Nothing was wasted. On the contrary, we have so much, but focus on what we do not have, and become ungrateful, always looking to get the next best thing. The new and improved cell phone, tablet, laptop, car, house, you name it. Which we also become bored with quickly. Imagine what we could do to help support missions or help a family or two or five, if we stopped looking to buy the next best "whatever", and instead saved up and applied the money to those needs. Sadly, there are very few people today, yes, even Christians, who know the real pleasure and blessing of giving sacrificially to someone who has a real need. Our selfishness is robbing us of the opportunity to be a blessing, by allowing God to use our resources, time, talents, and abilities to be the answer to someone's prayers for help. Are we investing in the lives of others as Christ's representatives here on earth, or is this life about "me, me, me"?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).