Righteous Recieving

Living in America is a sure way to be unsatisfied.  We are inundated with marketing on t.v., bragging from co-workers, and Target.  I try to avoid Target unless I'm truly in need, I work at home so I can dodge the co-worker bit, but t.v. does get to me, so I don't watch too much.  Still, sometimes I want.

Our church has begun reading Crazy Love, and Radical, I haven't yet, but our discussions have been about going to the extreme with Jesus.  He wants us to be loving others to the extent that He does, and he just might ask us to sell every last piece of our "American Dream" and give it to the poor.  What do I do with that?  In a society that is based on stuff?  I didn't grow up rich, I was middle class.  I wouldn't call myself materialistic, but I do have kids I want to bless, but I don't want them to find joy in things, but instead in giving.  Is it wrong to want pretty things, to decorate my house and enjoy my life? 

So I'm getting honest, I'm evaluating my life and deciding if I truly have more than I need.  There is enough outflow of cash on groceries to keep a small country going, so I begin to feel guilty that I have so much.  I have more than one pair of shoes.  My drawers are overflowing with free clothes, my house is warm, and I'm NEVER hungry, and my house is pretty.

Then God slams me with it, out of my own mouth.  I'm emptying my brain in small groups on Sunday, expressing my concern with raising a generation who wants and doesn't give, and what do I do with all I have, if I do have too much.  Then, a few minutes later, it falls out.  It probably wasn't for anyone but me, because they all sat their quiet like, "uh, what does that have to do with anything".

 "As much as we give, we have to be able to receive a blessing too.  No matter what it is, no matter what the sacrifice on the other end.  Receiving is just as important as giving."  I was still asking God my questions a day later, then He asked me if I was receiving the gifts He has given me.  I wasn't, I was feeling guilty about them.  He reminded me that I was blessed, that I can bless others in my receiving, but I don't need to feel bad for what I have. 

This may be different for you, maybe you do have some things you have to evaluate.  But we all need to evaluate, and see if we are receiving our good gifts, making idols out of them, or feeling guilty for being put in America.  We aren't bad just because we are American's.   We are living off the blessings from past generations, lets make sure we make the right and holy choices today, so our next generations can enjoy the same blessings we have.