Get More by Giving

Scripture: "Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." Luke 6:38

Missing Out

Lately, I've been realizing that I've been missing out on so much that's right in front of me, because I've been so focused on what I don't have. It's like if you were starving and had someone bring you a great meal with a lid on top, but you're so focused on your neighbor eating his sandwich, that you don't even notice! You have this amazing meal in front of you, but it goes to waste because you're so transfixed on what others have. I have been living this way, and I believe God wants me to stop. Because this habit, where you want what you don't have and aren't happy with what you do have, is called covetousness, and it's actually a soul toxin.

What is a "Soul Toxin?"

A soul toxin is something you are doing (knowingly or unknowingly) that is causing sickness in your soul. For example, if I lived in a smog-filled city, my lungs would be always filled with toxins, making it hard for me to breathe, run, and enjoy life. But smog is fairly invisible, and unless someone tells me about it, I'm going to keep breathing it in! And suffering. Maybe you feel that way in your soul. You feel always on-edge, nervous, worried, and unhappy. This is indication of a soul toxin, and it's just what Jesus came to help you with. In fact, Jesus was criticized for hanging out the most with needy, "soul-toxic" people. He told His critics,

"Healthy people don't need a doctor; those who are sick do. I've come to call sinners, not people who think they have God's approval." (Mark 2:17)

So if you think that you have too many issues to be liked (or even loved!) by Jesus, you're in for a surprise: He came just for you.

The Soul Doctor

Now, because Jesus made our souls, He knows how they work best. He knows the things that are toxic for you, and the things that are going to make you thrive. It's like going to the best doctor in the world who knows just how the body works and can tell you the best things to eat and do to live an amazing, vibrant life. That's what Jesus is for you: Your Soul Doctor. And covetousness is one of the things He said is very toxic for your soul. He said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own." Luke 12:15

Am I Greedy?

Now, when I hear the word "greed," I automatically think of just money. But that's not all you can be greedy for. What about wanting someone else's life? Wishing you looked like them, had their family, or had their luxuries? That's how God defines coveting: Jealousy wanting anything someone else has. He said, "You must not covet your neighbor's house. You must not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17 I know I have been so guilty of this, looking to other people as better off than me, thinking, "If I could just have their money, their spouse, their house...I could be happy."

Covetousness Symptoms

Here are some signs you might be dealing with this soul toxin (I have them all!):

• You are never satisfied

You are constantly wishing things were different

You can't be happy for others' blessings

What's the Remedy?

I hate when someone tells me what's wrong with me but not how to fix it. It's so depressing! But Jesus doesn't do that to you. He teaches about the soul toxin and the soul remedy. After explaining that "Life is not measured by how much you own," He says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 This is the cure for covetousness: Giving! I want you to do 2 things with your body. First, I want you to clench up your fists as tight as you can get them. How does that feel? Stressful? Tense? That's the position of covetousness. Your whole body is saying, "I want! I want! I want!" and you've never happy. But now, I want you to relax your arms out right in front of you, with your palms open. Hold them like that for a couple seconds, closing your eyes and breathing in and out. How do you feel? Peaceful? Happy? That is the feeling of contentment and giving, the soul remedy that Jesus is prescribing for you today.

Bring in the Health

Let's take Jesus' remedy this week. What if we purposefully went through this week not thinking, "How much can I get?" but instead, "How much can I give?" Think how beautiful our existence together would be! And we can start that now, you and me, and our whole big group. This week, let's see what we can give to others. It can be a hug, a word of encouragement, money or clothes to someone in need, or a thank-you card. In fact, let's start by giving to each other in the Comments! Write your prayer or what's on your heart, and then find someone else's comment and reply back to them with a prayer or encouragement. I truly believe that Jesus' remedy of giving is going to free us of the burden of covetousness. Let's start this week, and next week I will ask you how it is going! I am praying for you.