Gifted--Not Entitled

Here is a list that the world tells me (and most everyone else) I/we deserve:

1. A dad and mom who loves me
2. Safety-being able to know I will not be harmed when around my parents, family, or at school
3. Many nice clothes
4. A car that runs
5. A comfortable job
6. A comfortable bed
7. A hot shower
8. Meals 3 days a week/snacks in between (personally something with chocolate ;])
9. Ability to see
10. 2 Arms and 2 Legs
11. Ability to hear
12. A cell phone
13. A computer
14. An education (Kindergarten-->College)
15. My own family someday
16. Biological children

I have every single one of the above listed items (with the exception of 15 and 16..not yet anyway). These things are not bad, when they are not idols.  However, we have become so accustomed to having them that we forget that they are GIFTS!! We ARE NOT ENTITLED to these things. They are given to us by God.

NOT EVERYONE HAS HAD SUCH BLESSINGS.  And when we meet someone who has not had such blessings, we don't know how to act around them.  Which, if we're honest with ourselves results in us ignoring them or pushing them away. Rarely do we give of ourselves for those who have not had such gifts handed to them.  We very rarely give up our gifts to come along side and love those who have not been gifted in the ways our world tells us is "normal".

However, this is EXACTLY what Jesus did.  Jesus gave up His place in Heaven, His place of perfect unity and peace with His Father.  He did not have to ever feel pain, hurt, or suffering.  Jesus gave up His comfort, to come down to earth to die a death He certainly did not deserve. He died the death of a criminal. He knew what would happen on earth and He still came (Luke 18:31-33). The perfect Son of God was stripped naked, beaten, mocked, spit on, hung on a cross and murdered.

Jesus gave up everything that was good, for me and you.  He was stripped naked, beaten, mocked, spit on, hung on a cross and murdered for you.  How dare I think that I deserve any one of the things listed above and how dare I look down on anyone who does not have those things. (Conviction is bringing tears to my eyes) THEY ARE GIFTS! So, I will attempt to follow Jesus' lead and lay down all these gifts at the foot of the cross--the very place He laid down His.

However, before you go feeling guilty about the way you have handled your gifts let me leave you with this.  If God has given you these gifts than PRAISE HIM!! He loves giving good gifts to His children and He loves when we slow down enough thank Him for them.  They are to be used for the glory of His name. So glorify His name with them, instead of hoarding them yourself/myself.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5