I Deserve This….

Selfishness, the root of all evil, is the greatest problem we constantly face. It causes greediness, as seen here in today’s passage. Have you ever caught yourself having greedy, selfish thoughts? I sure have. It happens any time I find myself receiving a large sum of money, or am blessed with a gift from someone. Our nature (i.e. sinful nature), will always try to make us question things, focusing on the “I deserve this” attitude. What do we do when it happens? Do what David did. He found his strength in the Lord. He did what he knew what was right to do. God always rewards loyalty, and so should we. God always blesses integrity, and so should we. God always does the right thing, and so should we. We must always do what we know God wants us to do, regardless how we “feel” about it. Selfishness is a constant battle, but it’s rewards are worth fighting for. David wasn’t a perfect man, but he was known as a man after God’s own heart. Why? Because when he messed up, giving into his selfish desires, he realized it was wrong. When he realized his mistake, he did what was necessary to make things right (repented). He always worked on his relationship with God. It was his priority. In order to be a man/woman after God’s own heart, we have to be honest with ourselves, willing to accept truth regardless of the cost. And our relationship with God must be a priority. Is this your desire?

21 Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200  men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. 22 But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”23 But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. 24 Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike–those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” 25 From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today. 1 Samuel 30:21-25