- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
PRIDE SYMPTOMS
'Don't hold back-you're not going to come up short ...' Isaiah 54:3
You'll rarely find pride-filled folk sharing food or allowing friends to use their phone credit - but they'll often be happily chomping away on friends' chocolates and finding emergency reasons to make calls on their phones.
They're always last to get a round of drinks in, and make the most of trying to avoid paying for a round at all. They never leave tips when out for a meal. They'll only buy presents for someone who will give in return, secretly hoping they get the best deal; they put coppers and never notes in the charity pot or collection plate; and always talk themselves out of sponsoring a child from a third world country - after all, their need for that extra ?20 a month is always greater.
Another less obvious symptom of that same prideful heart is hoarding. Every drawer, cupboard, room in their house jam-packed with stuff they 'just might need.' These folk become reluctant to give anything away to help someone in need, just in case they may need it again; lending out belongings is a definite no-no, for fear they will get damaged and they will be left without. Their mindset is gimme-gimme, rather than give and give again.
Happy to point this attitude out in other people, they're oblivious to it flourishing in their own. Matthew 5:16 (TM) says '...Be generous with your lives ...you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.' So no hoarding or stingy living for us; remember 'Don't hold back-you're not going to come up short' (TM).
What now? Read 2 Corinthians 9:7-9. Think of a way to be exceptionally generous today, then do it. Surprise someone by going beyond their expectations!
written by Bob Gass
'Don't hold back-you're not going to come up short ...' Isaiah 54:3
You'll rarely find pride-filled folk sharing food or allowing friends to use their phone credit - but they'll often be happily chomping away on friends' chocolates and finding emergency reasons to make calls on their phones.
They're always last to get a round of drinks in, and make the most of trying to avoid paying for a round at all. They never leave tips when out for a meal. They'll only buy presents for someone who will give in return, secretly hoping they get the best deal; they put coppers and never notes in the charity pot or collection plate; and always talk themselves out of sponsoring a child from a third world country - after all, their need for that extra ?20 a month is always greater.
Another less obvious symptom of that same prideful heart is hoarding. Every drawer, cupboard, room in their house jam-packed with stuff they 'just might need.' These folk become reluctant to give anything away to help someone in need, just in case they may need it again; lending out belongings is a definite no-no, for fear they will get damaged and they will be left without. Their mindset is gimme-gimme, rather than give and give again.
Happy to point this attitude out in other people, they're oblivious to it flourishing in their own. Matthew 5:16 (TM) says '...Be generous with your lives ...you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.' So no hoarding or stingy living for us; remember 'Don't hold back-you're not going to come up short' (TM).
What now? Read 2 Corinthians 9:7-9. Think of a way to be exceptionally generous today, then do it. Surprise someone by going beyond their expectations!
written by Bob Gass
