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| 'Tis the Season for Greed |
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(10)Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (11) As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benfit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 NIV
We want what we can’t have and we have what we don’t want. At Christmas time it seems to come out of people, their wants and desires and wishes. They want what they don’t have, can’t have, can’t afford to have. They go into debt to get it, whatever “it” might be. Nothing has made being in debt easier than credit cards. You want it, you go out and get it. Might take a few years to pay for it, but you can have it. You deserve it. You’ve worked hard for it, right?
I look around me and I see all that God has blessed me with. Not exceedingly rich, as the world defines rich, but I am certainly not poverty stricken either. I have food on my table every day, I have a warm house, a good roof over my head, I have my family and friends, my church, and money in the bank. It could all come crashing down around me if my husband were to lose his job, which is an all too real possibility in this world today. But I would still be rich, because I am saved.
So many people, even in my little community, don’t have as much as I have. They barely have enough money to put food on the table. Others have illnesses that they have to deal with, things that either they or a loved one may not recover from, and the stress causes them to be unable to live in peace.
I have been out shopping for Christmas, and I see the faces of the people I pass by, some sad, some happy, some looking haggard, some angry. I wonder how many of them have spent too much money on Christmas, gone over their heads and into debt.
Instead of getting caught up in buying and having and wanting things we really can’t afford or don’t need, might I make a suggestion? Do a random act of kindness...Open a door for someone today, or if the door opens electronically, let them go first. Let someone go before you in line at your favorite store. While you are out in the holiday traffic, let someone out of a crowded parking lot, or let someone go before you in traffic. Smile at someone. Do some random acts of kindness without anyone knowing. It really is quite rewarding…I have done it, and no one has a clue, and that is how I want it. Giving of yourself and doing a little something extra for someone else is what Christmas is all about. It isn’t about wanting, and having what we can’t afford and don’t need. It is about others. Make it happen. You will be blessed if you do.
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| RAOK (Random Act of Kindness) happen all the time around here (Springfield, MO) and that's part of the beauty of the place I call home. I understand it's not like that everywhere. I like your sentiment and I hope we get the United States back to God before it's too late. |
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Deb |
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December 17, 2007 at 4:17pm |
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| Realtor Randy, that is great that you have those RAOK in your community! Every place should be so lucky. Thanks for your comments. |
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Gene |
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December 17, 2007 at 4:49pm |
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| Hey Deb. RAOK for me too. I hope that's what we can do. |
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What great advice Deb. I saw some lady basically bite someones head off this afternoon on the train for stepping in front of her. The spirit of slap wanted to come all over me. Kidding, but truthfully I wish I could have caught up to her just to say something nice!
A couple of scriptures came to mind from your post. The first:
Proverbs 30:8-9
First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
And then this one:
Proverbs 13:8
The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened.
I like your style Deb, Thanks!
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| This is sage advice--for any time of year! Awesome blog! We didn't buy gifts last year, but this year it is immediate family and it is little somethings. God blessed us enough to do that....as for the warm house? LOL! Maybe next year! :P |
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Cyn |
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December 17, 2007 at 7:33pm |
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| Very thought provocative. Some people just dont get what the season is all about. if not anything RENEW yourself in your spirit! |
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| RAOK for me too!! Great Blog! |
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| RAOK? Good Post. If we could just take it through the year. It seems like I see more and more haggard faces needing a Savior. |
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| This is so true, Deb. Random acts of kindness don't need to be so random after all. And who needs a week to do this, when we have all year! |
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MichaelATL - I really needed to see Proverbs 30:8-9 this morning...I am going through quite a conundrum/issue with work/money/jobs and things like that. I knew I wasn't wrong for thinking that all I want is what meets my needs - I don't need to be rich, and I don't want to be poor. I want to be in a place where I do have to work but not in such stress about it and paychecks. Thank God for inspiring you to post that scripture in this great message...it got to me! |
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| Deb, thanks for the reminder to be kind -- RAOK (love it) everyday. It isn't like God is being kind to us be allowing us to draw breathe, is it? :-) |
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Jen~ I love that verse Proverbs 30: 8-9. I use to have that on my fridge. It is a great scripture to keep you in line.
Deb~ As you know, I posted a blog about going into Debt for CHRISTmas. I decided to go in to debt just a tiny bit in order for me kids to have a gift each, since they have nothing thus far. Well, I placed the order, told my kids I had something on order, & they had a blast trying to guess what it was. In the mean time I tried to explain to my two 16 year old boys that even if we got nothing for them, that is not what CHRISTmas is all about. One of the boys understood well. The other, who just moved back in with me, did not understand. He began to demand that he have a good CHRISTmas gift. He exclaimed how poor he was living with his real mom, & that he deserved it. He even threatened, in a joking way, to call CHRISTmas Xmas if he didn't get something he wanted. I was so disturbed by this. I thought to myself, he doesn't deserve a gift and I hope the Lord doesn't take his gift from him for being mean like that. Well, a couple days pass, and I noticed the company has not processed my internet order. I called to see what was happening & found out that the gifts would not arrive until Jan. 10, 2008!! So, now we are back down to noooo gifts for CHRISTmas. I cancelled the order. I wondered if God would manifest a gift for us, ith my family who should know better, cting like spoiled brats! I am heavy in spirit about this. I am praying He will change his attitude in time. There is a lesson to be learned here for him. I just leave it in Gods hands.
Shannon |
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Deb |
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December 18, 2007 at 10:59am |
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Gene, if you look for opportunities to do random acts of kindness, God will provide them for you, I guarantee it!
Woman of joy, thank you!
Michael, great scripture to go along with this blog. I have been reading Proverbs this month, and there are so many that would work with this blog. Thanks for sharing a couple of them.
Restore, glad you enjoyed the blog.
Lara, I hope your house is at least semi-warm?
Cyn, many people do forget what the season is about, and some just don't care.
Cheryl, thank you!
Doyle Crow, thanks to you too!
Hopefienddave, oh yes, we should take it through the year, not just at the holiday time. Showing God's love through RAOK, is on way to win souls.
Carebear, like I told Dave, we should do RAOK all through the year, not just at times dedicated to it. We can make them something like common acts of kindness (CAOK).
GrowingInFaith, I am glad that you could take something away from this blog that is helpful to you! That is what it is all about!
Mike, Thank you for your comments...The reminder was also for me to do random acts of kindness...I think we all need reminding sometimes, especially at this busy time of year!
Shannon, leaving it in God's hands is the best way to do it. Maybe going without presents this year will be a good thing for them! I hope it ends up being a blessed Christmas for all of you, whether or not there are presents involved.
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Eliza |
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December 19, 2007 at 8:59am |
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| I miss the old days...when I was younger, and my parents could only afford one small present each....We didn't have much, but it was just being together that mattered. Now my kids are expecting a lot of gifts (none that are very small).... My gifts to everyone this year will be RAOK.... Great blog Deb....So true.... |
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Deb |
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December 19, 2007 at 11:37am |
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| Eliza, thank you so much for your comments. Life was a lot simpler in the "old" days. I think when we don't have much, we appreciate what we do have more. |
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It seems the evil that lies within the flesh really wars with the spirit at this time of year. The mental hospitals and clinics get full and have long waiting lines for people who feel they are in cricisis and children are beeten for asking for christmas gifts. I have been hospitalized and witnessed this and more horror at this time of year than any other.
What happened to Peace on earth and Good will tword men? Is this only a promise for a future with christ of is it something we all have to work hard to get.
And yet we meet people who smile kindly and those who give generously and we know our needs are wounderously met.
I even have recieved dreams granted which were in response to my own greed.
Will the greatest dream wish be lost due to this? Or will my children and grandchildren find Christ as their savior and with all my accointences, friends, and enemies meet in Gladness around the Saviors Thrown? God forgive the things we do and help us do the things we should have done. Amen! |
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Deb |
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December 20, 2007 at 11:29am |
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| Valerie, I second the Amen! There are a lot of people who do good things this time of year and all year long. We can have hope for our fellow man because of these people. I hope that we can be the hope for someon living in darkness, this time of the year and all year long! |
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| lol My house is about 12 degrees celcius through the day, and I put it down to ten degrees celcius overnight...trust me; wearing socks to bed all the way!!! lol I warn ppl who visit to bring slippers and a sweater. |
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Deb |
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December 21, 2007 at 12:39pm |
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| Ok, I am trying to calculate that into degrees Farenheit, and I am thinking brrrrr....I thought I kept my house cold! It is about 62 degrees. I have an electric blanket everywhere I go in the house! |
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| You said, "Instead of getting caught up in buying and having and wanting things we really can’t afford or don’t need, might I make a suggestion? Do a random act of kindness...Open a door for someone today, or if the door opens electronically, let them go first. Let someone go before you in line at your favorite store. While you are out in the holiday traffic, let someone out of a crowded parking lot, or let someone go before you in traffic. Smile at someone. Do some random acts of kindness without anyone knowing. It really is quite rewarding…I have done it, and no one has a clue, and that is how I want it." What a WONDERFUL idea. These acts of kindness are so special. You do bring out very interesting ideas, Deb. I appreciate your blogs. |
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Deb |
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December 23, 2007 at 1:16pm |
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| Yahschild, thank you! Our Sunday school teacher is the one that first mentioned the Random Acts of Kindness to me a while ago. Our class was challenged to do random acts of kindness for others. It is a fun thing to do, and even better when the person has no clue who did something nice for them. |
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Deb, I am trying to get caught up on blogs. Sorry I missed this one earlier. You speak some sound wisdom here. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the gifting (no pun intended). One year it is something small, then the next year a little more, then a little more. Before you know it you have debt that is way too much to pay off.
...and as you say, those of us who have jobs could be without them in a moment with today's economy the way it is. It is just simply wise to only spend cash and do without when you can't pay. The temptation is great to spend..."I'm giving a gift for someone special. It isn't for me"...yes, it is for you (for me). It is something we must resist.
Thanks for the great blog!! |
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| ...one other thing...as a RAOK, leave a waiter or waitress a nice tip. They work hard for their money and people tend to short change them this time of year - because they are feeling guilty about spending money on other things. |
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Deb |
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December 24, 2007 at 12:26pm |
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DC, We always do try to leave a nice tip for the waiter/waitress. They work hard, usually anyway, and we tip them according to how well they served us, but still give out a fair tip, unless they were terrible! Thanks for all your comments!
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Deb,
Bless you for sharing and caring enough to remind us... yes... RAOK need not be just one day, but everyday. Let His Birth celebration remind us... that truly it is better to give than to receive.
Have a blessed Holy Day.
Pastor Aminata |
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Deb |
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December 24, 2007 at 12:43pm |
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| Pastor Aminata, thank you for your comments...it IS always better to give than to receive. I find myself being more excited about watching others open presents than I do opening my own! RAOK can make that happen every day! |
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Procyon |
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December 27, 2007 at 4:14am |
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Your title said more than what your post actually revealed. There is much more covetousness ingrained in our heart than we can ever imagine.
But I agree, the little acts of kindness and love are very precious. The most difficult thing however is to PRAY. 'Lord, make me like Christ.' His birth in the eyes of the world was so insignificant; His death in the eyes of the world was so sordid.
The challenge of Christ to you and me, to be like Him, involves a deep experience of the cross. Gal 2.20, 5.24, 6.14. It is beyond most of us!
The Christ of Christmas is so utterly different from the Lord Jesus Christ in the Bible. |
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| RAOK.............these are always REAL gifts ! (great blog) |
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Deb |
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December 27, 2007 at 12:21pm |
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procyon, I would agree that the Jesus of the bible is not the Jesus of Christmas. Jesus at Christmas can take on the image of Santa. While he is very giving, He is NOT Santa. The Jesus from the bible is the one who died for my sins, and I treasure a personal relationship with him. Thanks for your comments.
Paul, thank you! |
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Deb |
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December 27, 2007 at 4:37pm |
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| The Light, thank you for the star and the comments! lol |
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