Self-Indulgence

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." (Matthew 23:25)

"Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49)

Self-indulgence is a topic that saddens me because I see much of it going on in the United States. We are enticed daily to give in, in fact we are encouraged to do it. Life is not about how much stuff we gain here on planet Earth. It is not about sexual agenda or how we look. It is not about status, money or power. It is about helping our family, our neighbors, our friends and enemies. It is about showing God's love.

Is your car a status symbol or a useful vehicle?
Is your house a status symbol or a home where people are loved?
Are your clothes defining you or are you defining your clothes?
Are you driven by money or are you driven by character?
Does your job title give you pride or do you put pride into your job?
Is it about popularity or willingness to be a true friend?

Please dear Lord, keep me from the sin of over indulgence. Let me have pure thoughts and let me not eat the bread of idleness. Help me to love others and strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. In Jesus name...Amen.