CREED, Rebuilding Your Family FortressSample

6. You Get What You Give

Have you ever held a position where you were entitled to take certain good things for yourself?
Or worse, were you ever in a position where you felt entitled to take certain good things for yourself?

Some men fall into the habit of upholding a different CREED. This one is built on Consumerism, Rage, Entitlement, Ego, and Dominance. It is rooted in our post-modern western culture of “more is never enough”, and “I want it all… and I want it now!”

Now without pointing the finger to another and not peering into our own souls first, this happens easier and faster than you care to realize… You walk through the shop and simply buy something you don’t need with money you don’t have. You don’t like waiting in line at the café and grab the first coffee that gets called out… whosever it was can now wait in line for yours. You scroll through social media and see a picture of something/someone you like and click, you feel like you deserve this little distracting treat. You work many years at a company and would like to be better valued or rewarded, so you make it happen for yourself. You volunteer at a ministry and never get rewarded at all, so now you also start withholding your contributions completely… Any of this sound familiar?

I am not advocating that we become complacent, going through life without any drive or thirst whatsoever. Or never feeling allowed to enjoy anything good. But there’s a difference between complacency and coveting, and that is called contentment. Something Paul reminded us to uphold whether we have a lot or a little (Philippians 4:11-13).

Nehemiah could also turn a blind eye to those suffering around him, indulge in his own allowances as governor and simply forced his countrymen to labor and get the wall done… or else! Yet, we see in him an immense compassion, and sense of justice and equality. He was content enough to share the excess with those in need. In fact, I believe he shared more than only the excess with others. His generosity went above and beyond.

He also called the rich to responsibility. Fighting for the restoration of those who had been disadvantaged. This truly showed his devotion to his cause. Not only was he fortifying the city to protect its people, but he was also fighting for the prosperity of all people.

Obviously, as a husband and a father, you would love to see your family prosper. You are supposed to work for the well-being of your wife and children, and not only yourself. But are you showing and teaching your household how to give to God and others as well? Charity begins at home, literally, but it should also overflow from your home into your greater community and church.

So, how do you treat those who work for you, or deliver a service of some sort? Do you compensate or tip responsibly and well? What’s your attitude when someone asks for something? Do you give with courage and enthusiasm? Generosity is both an action and a mentality. Generosity is not only seen by our finances, but also in how and where we spend our time, our skills, and our prayers. It’s a true show of our heart. And if you are already generous, be encouraged. For just like with Nehemiah, God remembers and blesses us for all we have done (verse 19).

In God’s kingdom, excellence means ensuring that others are better off as well…
It takes courage to keep giving responsibly, and enthusiasm to stay devoted to a cause.

Inspect your own walls:

1. What is your understanding of being content, without coveting, nor becoming complacent?

2. In which practical ways have you been, or can you become, more generous?

3. What might you need to fully devote to God in prayer today?