You are Not Alone

Does anyone else have a hard time with how much money to keep for yourself and how much to give away?! I struggle with this hourly, daily and monthly. My heart is split in two. One side wants to give everything I have away just to help someone else and then the other side w-a-n-t-s. I was in Bath and Body Works yesterday and I usually don't find much in there that I want but wow, yesterday that was not the story. I found way too much! I went in there looking for face wash/cleanser stuff (a must for my face that wants to break out like I'm in high school again, yuck). I found lotions, scrubs, shimmer mists and more! I was good though and only got what I went in there for but boy did my desires take over. The whole time I was looking my thoughts kept going back to those who have so much less than me. How can I shop for these "luxuries" when there's people in this world without a home, extra clothes, food, clean water or an education? I feel I have a responsibility to help others when I've been so blessed here in the U.S.

I don't mean to make anyone feel guilty. That is definitely not my intention. All of us have different concerns and passions and my passion is definitely for those in third worlds. I do donate and give often and try to help as much as possible but I'm also very selfish. There is so much that I want. I've gotten much better at spending and being financially responsible but that's only because God is working on my heart! It is all Him. I will look online for something and get to the very end to pay and then I decide No, I don't need it or want it anymore.

If you struggle with giving and caring for others and at the same time struggle with being selfish, know you are not alone! In the book, The Hole in the Gospel, Richard Stearns says after he gets back from seeing poverty in a third world country he is still affected and still has a lot of concern but after a couple days or weeks that concern starts to wear off and he gets used to life back in the U.S. When we aren't surrounded by the hurt, struggle, and despair of others daily, it's easy to forget. We need reminders to get us back in line.

As humans we are selfish and it can hard to control our desires and wants. No one is immune. However we serve a loving God who cares about everyone. Whatever you decide to give and share is between you and God. Just pray that God opens your heart and helps you make the right decisions. Our money is His. Think of us as money managers for God. We are here to distribute it as He would like.