Not Taking the BaitSample

“I want to be an actress. Can you talk to David A.R. White for me?” I heard my daughter yell from the other room in response to her sister explaining to their Papa that I would be speaking at an event with the well-known producer and actor.

In mid-explanation, my younger daughter stopped and yelled, “Me too! I want to be an actress too!”

Suddenly, the two of them started bickering back and forth.

As I stood near the front door to leave, I decided to pause.

Both of my children were very gifted. One in acting and one in singing. My older daughter, who loved acting, had fully embraced this talent and looked for any opportunity she could to share her gift with the world. My younger daughter was shy and often steered away from anything that had to do with singing unless it was inside the house. Her sudden interest in acting shocked and annoyed her older sister.

I understood how both of them felt, and I paused for a second to reassure both girls that God was going to make room for them to operate in their unique gifts.

However, I took an extra moment for my younger daughter to remind her of how important it was to steward the gift that God had given her so that He could bless her abilities in a special way. I reminded her that we didn’t want to put her gift of singing on the shelf so that she could pick up her sister's gift of acting. I wanted her to understand that stewardship and contentment are kingdom keys that unlock many doors.

I find myself having this conversation with my children more and more often. As video-streaming channels with kids and parent vloggers tend to be the new reality TV. I have noticed that this form of entertainment tends to lure them into coveting. Youth want a parent who sits and plays video games all day or travels the world to fun places every other week. They are less and less content with the idea of being in a warm home with a loving family whose every move isn’t on display for the world.

Our world has become more covetous than ever before, and the sneaky bait seeps into our homes and hearts without warning. But, dear brothers and sisters, let us all be reminded that contentment and stewardship are two kingdom keys that will unlock doors! If we are stewarding well what God has entrusted to us, we will not have time to desire what He has entrusted to another. We may see and celebrate it, but we won't sin over it.

So today, let’s begin our journey of contentment as God unfolds His master plan for our lives!

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