November 2007 | Posted in • Life | (0) Comments |
It begins with one. Then there is a trickle. And finally - the flood. The constant river screams, “I want that, I want that, I want!”
As the Christmas season quickly approaches, so seemingly do the ?needs’ of our children. Every TV commercial and Sunday newspaper is filled with items that your children decide they “must” have. Suddenly, the toys that they played with yesterday are no longer any good; abruptly they’ve become broken, worn down, and old. Our kids ?need’ the latest upgrade and the hottest new items to hit the retail shelves. And businesses know it!
Corporations know that to make a profit, they must instill a perception of an overpowering need for their products and services. Their advertisements are designed to compel consumers, like you and me, into their stores, as we attempt to satisfy that need. It is no accident that toy manufacturers, clothing retailers, and technology-based companies aim their advertising at children and youth, especially during the holiday seasons. Companies know that children are likely to have a list of wants for Christmas, and that we, as good parents, will go out of our way to provide them the goods . . . But should we?
There is nothing wrong with blessing our children. The Bible tells us that God wants us to be blessed. Psalm 115:13-14 (NKJV): “He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great. May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children.” However, when we are never satisfied with what we have, always craving more and more, there is definitely a problem. We are allowing material possessions to hold our esteem, in the place of God. This is an idol called Greed, or Covetousness.
Greed has become a common and acceptable philosophy in our nation. Slogans read: “He who dies with the most toys, WINS,” “No prohibiting allowed!” and “Hit Me…I need the $$$.” The Bible calls that a wicked and sinful way of life.
God addressed greed in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:17 (NIV), “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Your neighbors may not have servants, oxen or donkeys, but they may make more money, own a more expensive car, a bigger house, and have a nicer yard. This verse commands us not to desire or lust after those things that do not belong to us. We should rejoice with our neighbors that they are blessed, but not be jealous because they have something that we don’t.
We need to train our children to be satisfied. First, however, we must also allow God to train us in being satisfied. Psalm 145:15-16 (NKJV), “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” God knows the needs of our families, and His provision is sufficient for us.
We must let go of seeking after material possessions to make ourselves happy, and stop teaching that wrong attitude to our children as well. We must put God first in everything, absolutely everything. When we put God first, His Word says that He “will satisfy the desires of our heart.”
So how do we deal with “I want that”? We must teach our children about giving. Train them to know and understand that it is truly better to give than to receive. Read scriptures on giving to them. (There are several listed below to help you get started.) Maybe in lieu of spending so much money on your own family this year, you could adopt a less fortunate family, and bless them with gifts for their children. Perhaps take your children to a homeless shelter, and work for a day, serving others. I believe we should train our children away from the “Give me?” attitude and toward the “Giver” attitude.
Luke 12:33 “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where neither thief approaches nor moth destroys.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Romans 12:10-13 “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
Deuteronomy 15:11 “For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ?You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and needy, in your land.’”
Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
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