Emotion #11: Greed vs. Generosity | How to Transform a Greedy Attitude into a Generous Spirit

Emotion #11: Greed vs. Generosity | How to Transform a Greedy Attitude into a Generous Spirit 

We’ve been counting down to Christmas by focusing on the 12 different emotions the holiday season can bring… and the eleventh one is an unfortunate, but very real struggle during the holiday season. It’s GREED! 

I want to encourage you, as you spend money for various items like a Christmas tree, presents, food, and more, it is important to ask yourself: What is Christmas all about?

 

In Giving to Others, We Receive.

God doesn’t want you to celebrate the Christmas season without cherishing and loving those in need. 

This holiday season, look for opportunities to carry His Good News into the world.

James 2:14-17 (NIV) remind us: 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Christmas without giving is like faith without action.

We are all called to be His hands ✋ and to bring His love into a culture that desperately needs it.

 

Setting a Godly Example for Your Children. 

Activities like taking your children to church and vacation Bible school are important, and they are great learning tools, but being a godly example and demonstrating a generous and giving spirit are the most important things you can do for your children.

Go HERE to read some amazing verses on leading by example. 

Remember, children model what they see every day.

Ask yourself, “What have I done in my house this Christmas to be an example of a giving heart?”

When the holidays become more of an over-scheduled indulgence in foods, social engagements, and possessions, you miss the meaning of Christmas, because you aren’t allowing God to use you as an example of His love to someone in need.

Acts 20:35 (NIV) tells us:

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Avoid spending the entire holiday season running around from one social commitment to another, and stop to reflect on what a glorious gift you have been given through Jesus Christ, our Lord! 

Terri Savelle Foy once said, “Someone is waiting on the other side of your obedience.” 

Think about that! This Christmas season, God wants to use your obedience to give heavenly gifts like compassion to the poor, hungry, hopeless, and hurting.

To learn more about this topic, go HERE and read my blog. 

 

A Humble Heart Is a Giving Heart.

If you feel you need to get some perspective this holiday season, go to God’s Word and seek out His guidance on how to have a giving and humble heart.

In a moment, God can turn it all around! 

Thinking about God’s gift of salvation should quickly kindle a humble heart.

Remember, no one earned God’s forgiveness; it was a FREE gift from Him because He loves you so much. The awesomeness of that gift should create a desire to share it!

John 13:34 (NIV) tells us, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” 

We are called to love others as God loves us.

God instructs us to take His love and let it be a light to those in need.

Make humility a priority this Christmas season, and watch as God renews your heart and mind and uses them for His glory.