Redirecting Generations Can Be Undertaken By One
I was recently asked; "Why does God do more for others than He does for me?" It felt like one of those "Why do bad things happen to good people" questions.
However, on this particular occasion the question was clouded within a much deeper issue.
This person believed that God had miraculously given a luxury vehicle to someone, while she was left driving one not so nice.
Clearly the problem wasn't God.
It was envy.
Envy can be dangerous.
You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it.
You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
James 4:2,3 The Message Bible Countless lives have been lost due to someone wanting an item owned by another.
Shoes, phones and recently, even video games.
Leaving behind pain I am sure is almost unbearable.
Sadly, a lot of this behavior surrounds but is not limited to, the younger generation.
The constant exposure to today's mediums seems to plant seeds of greed and lust.
The message is: 'everything should come with ease.
' A willingness to work and earn what they want versus being content with what they have seems to be fading away.
The teachers of these values are also few and far between.
As in everything, I believe change can start with one individual.
Holding true to that belief I have decided I will exercise openly the beauty of being content with what I have or demonstrate what it takes to earn things by way of working for them.
The first place I'll start this change will be in my own house.
Effectively immediately.
No longer will I openly complain in front of our ten year-old about what I don't have.
I will be more conscious of making comments to this effect, 'oh, it must be nice.
' When I do desire to have something I will purposely show him the steps I'm taking to earn it.
Even though I have always tried to demonstrate these characteristics before our son I'm deciding to kick it up a notch.
Prayerfully, these values will become deeply embedded in our son, so that it passes on to his friends and then to his own family one day.
If it catches and spreads far enough maybe, just maybe jealousy and envy won't ever be an issue in subsequent generations.
That is not only a dream worth having it's one worth working toward.
However, on this particular occasion the question was clouded within a much deeper issue.
This person believed that God had miraculously given a luxury vehicle to someone, while she was left driving one not so nice.
Clearly the problem wasn't God.
It was envy.
Envy can be dangerous.
You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it.
You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
James 4:2,3 The Message Bible Countless lives have been lost due to someone wanting an item owned by another.
Shoes, phones and recently, even video games.
Leaving behind pain I am sure is almost unbearable.
Sadly, a lot of this behavior surrounds but is not limited to, the younger generation.
The constant exposure to today's mediums seems to plant seeds of greed and lust.
The message is: 'everything should come with ease.
' A willingness to work and earn what they want versus being content with what they have seems to be fading away.
The teachers of these values are also few and far between.
As in everything, I believe change can start with one individual.
Holding true to that belief I have decided I will exercise openly the beauty of being content with what I have or demonstrate what it takes to earn things by way of working for them.
The first place I'll start this change will be in my own house.
Effectively immediately.
No longer will I openly complain in front of our ten year-old about what I don't have.
I will be more conscious of making comments to this effect, 'oh, it must be nice.
' When I do desire to have something I will purposely show him the steps I'm taking to earn it.
Even though I have always tried to demonstrate these characteristics before our son I'm deciding to kick it up a notch.
Prayerfully, these values will become deeply embedded in our son, so that it passes on to his friends and then to his own family one day.
If it catches and spreads far enough maybe, just maybe jealousy and envy won't ever be an issue in subsequent generations.
That is not only a dream worth having it's one worth working toward.
Source...