Kids of the King, Arise!

Yesterday I heard two stories on the news that REALLY bothered me. You probably heard them as well.

The day after Thanksgiving in the USA is often seen as the busiest day of the year for Christmas shopping. Many stores have sales on to encourage people to come and shop. Now I like to get a good deal, just like everyone else. I’m sure you do too. However look at this headline:

Three violent deaths in two stores marred the opening of the Christmas shopping season Friday.

In the first, a temporary Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death in a rush of thousands of early morning shoppers as he and other employees tried to unlock the doors of a Long Island, New York, store at 5 a.m., police said.

In the second violent incident on what is historically one of the year’s busiest shopping days, two men were shot dead in a Toys “R” Us in Palm Desert, California, after they argued over a toy in the store, police said.

Do you believe it?

What does the Bible say about greed like this?

O.K. This is a pretty far out expression of greed but think about how you have seen greed your self? What about when you reach out for a piece of cake do you look for the BIGGEST piece. Come on now, I know I have. What else can you think of?
How can we respond in the opposite spirit to the greed that we can see so often?

IDEA NUMBER ONE: The opposite of greed is…contentment and thankfulness right?

Think back on your day and remember all the things you can be thankful for. Now really think and go past being thankful for your house and family and clothes and food. What about being thankful for all the little things too…Like: the thoughtfulness of your mom as she poured you a glass of orange juice, the smile that your teacher gave you as you walked into the class, the warmth of your dog as he snuggled beside you, your feet that you can run…

Ask Jesus to open your eyes to the wonder of the world, the juicy raisins in your muffin, the wind on your face…make an adventure of it and as you do make it an act of worship.

IDEA NUMBER TWO : Maybe just try for CHRISTMAS to have no gifts or cut down on gifts and the money you would have spent on ourself give away. There are lots of different ways you can help those that are not as well of as yourself. A goat for a poor family in Africa for example. Look up World vision or, Samaritan’s purse, Or leprosy mission, or Be a Hero. LOTS to choose from!
How about this holiday season really just enjoy the company of family and friends, have a nice simple meal (which is really a luxury anyways, globally speaking)…maybe take up a new hobby if you have some time off, or re-start an old hobby that you seem to never have time for because life is busy…..Use the time you WOULD have spent shopping on drawing! Playing an instrument! Reading! Or thinking creatively for yourself! Invent YOUR OWN TOYS in your head…. LOTS of possible ideas

MEMORIZE:
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Timothy 6:6