Proverbs 28:25 AMP
He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in the Lord shall be enriched and blessed.
Did you know the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. attracts millions of visitors each year? Inside the memorial is a 19-foot high statue of the seated 16th president of the United States. The statue alone took four years to complete. Did you know that inscribed on the walls of the memorial are his following words:
"This nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. The Almighty has His own purposes... 'Woe into the world because of offense’s; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.' (Matthew 18:7)...Shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him?...The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalm 19:9)
Also inscribed, are the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King's " I have a Dream" speech:
"One day every valley shall be exalted and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh see it together..." (Isaiah 40:4-5)
Abraham Lincoln and Dr King were not of a “greedy spirit.” They serve as ultimate examples, giving their lives for all men, to preserve freedom for all men. The Lincoln Memorial is a living testimony of our God birthed freedom.
We too, can give our lives for something we believe in. I’m not suggesting we have to physically die at the hands of merciless men, like these men did; however, maybe there are some things of ourselves we can die to in order to give ourselves to others in a greater capacity. To be of a greedy spirit is to live for ourselves, only. But the scripture implies, that as we trust God and live for others, we will be blessed too. In other words, God wants to use you to bless others. In return, He wants to bless you.
People around you need you. Your family needs you. Your church needs you. Your community needs you. Let's challenge ourselves to not be of a greedy spirit. Let's step out and begin giving ourselves to others a little more. Think about it. We are recipients of the sacrifices made by Abraham Lincoln and Dr King. The fruit of their work lives on for future generations to enjoy. When we allow God to use us, giving ourselves completely and freely for His purposes, the results may just last a lifetime. Maybe even longer.
Action steps
- Read -Re-read Proverbs 28:25.
- Think- Think about any area of your life where you might be holding yourself back from giving to others.
- Write- If there is an area where you are holding back, get to the root of it. Ask yourself “what am I afraid of?” and then factor God. How does that change things?
- Pray - Ask God to help you recognize an opportunity to give of yourself to others today.
- Take away - See yourself of a “generous spirit”. God gave of Himself to us; we can do the same. We serve a giving God, with unlimited resources.
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever.”