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Are you too ‘selfie-centered’? How to be a giving Christian
in an all-about-me world
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Article By Melanie Hardwick // Empowering Everyday Women Ministries
February 14, 2017
Taking selfies is pretty common these days. Getting just the right angle and lighting to highlight
one’s best features has become a near obsession for some.
Though there’s nothing wrong with taking selfies, you can become too “selfie-centered,” or, in other
words, self-centered.
After all, self-centeredness is at the root of the all-about-me mentality which has taken hold of many
confessing Christians. Shallowness and misguided focus on what is trivial seems to be an all-out
epidemic these days.
And sadly, those who have a relationship with Christ, the answer to all the world’s ills, are robbing
others of the chance to experience His love through their acts of service. Our attention should be
on God and His will for our lives. Our intention behind daily activities must align with the word of
God and the calling to help people.
We each possess a divine gift, something God placed inside of us to enrich others. Everyone has
something special to contribute, but if you’re too self-obsessed, you’re no good to anyone. You
become useless when you’re cozily wrapped up in a You-Blanket, residing on Planet Me-ville.
There is so much more within that God wants you to tap into for the enrichment of others. Living for
yourself is not enough to please Him. He requires that you use your life to impact the lives of those
around you.
If you want to be a more a giving person, read and meditate on these 5 scriptures that reveal
exactly the way God views giving.
1.) Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)- “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters
will himself be watered.” The Lord blesses those who bless others, because His will is that we
serve those around us.
2.) Psalm 37:21 (NIV)- “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give
generously.” A mark of a Christian is their willingness to pour into the lives of those in need.
God always supplies His people with something to give—be it spare change, our time or
otherwise. You can always bless someone, either physically, spiritually, or emotionally.
3.) 2 Corinthians 8:12 (NLT)- “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And
give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.” It is not mandatory that we give
away what we can’t afford to lose. As aforementioned, there are many ways to sow into
someone else, spiritually and physically. You can be a blessing without going beyond your
means.
4.) 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)- “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart
to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Our charity is a
service to God, rather than just a service to man. Therefore, what we give will only be
deemed acceptable if we give it out of cheerfulness, kindness and sincerity of our heart. We
should not have to be bribed or persuaded to give to others.
5.) Proverbs 14:21 (NKJV)- “He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on
the poor, happy is he.” It pleases God when we serve others and give freely, just as He does
for us on a daily basis. There is joy found in giving!
It’s time to turn over a new leaf. Make things less about you and more about helping, and giving to
others.
Do something to improve someone’s day. Whether it be big or small, as long as it is done in love
and in truth, God smiles on your good deeds and will reward you for them.
If you feel the tug of the Holy Spirit to be more responsive to the needs of others, or if there is some
other area you need God to groom and grow you up in, let our prayer team pray about with you.
God is compassionate, more than able and full of mercy. Click here to request prayer.
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