Conquer Selfishness, Be Grateful

Last week, I began discussing the topic of selfishness. While at church today, the pastor spoke on the art of being grateful. I believe, in many ways, this is the answer to the selfishness dilemma.  He brought up 6 attributes of those who are grateful:

1. The grateful look back and remember God's goodness.  (Deuteronomy 8:15 and 15:15; Psalm 77:11-12; Psalm 103:2)
2. The grateful look ahead and trust God for the future.  (Jeremiah 29:11)
3. The grateful heart knows God's presence.  (Psalm 23:4)
4. The grateful heart trusts God's provisions.
5. The grateful heart welcomes God's favor.  (we are the object of God's affection!)
6. The grateful pray with praise and worship.  (Psalm 45:17, 86:12, 30:12, 35:18)

As he discussed each point and as the sermon went on, I found myself thinking, "the more grateful I am, the less I will be ruled by my selfish ambitions."  To continue to have a grateful heart, I believe I would be more focused on what God has done, is doing, and will do, rather than what I have done, am doing and will do.  This attitude of gratitude will magnify the fact that every good and perfect gift is from God and God alone. 

In knowing that the successes I may enounter are a direct result of God's provision in my life, I will find it easier to serve and give.  Giving to others, from the outpouring of what God has given us is simple because we know these things do not really belong to us.

Focusing on God, with a grateful spirit allows freedom, and mercy, and joy to flow freely.  Focusing on me only brings frustration and discontentment.  Don't you see?  It does us no good to beat the subject of selfishness to death.  Instead, let us go about being a people of gratefulness.  Let us pray with praise and worship, welcoming, trusting, knowing and believing God's work in our lives while we remember all that He has already done.

"Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 
Psalm 103:1-5