Selfish Me

         I have usually thought of myself as a selfless, giving person. After all, I enjoy Christmas shopping and delight in watching my family members unwrap their gifts. When my little sister needs gas money, I am there. Yet, that is expected. That is not sufficient for me to please God.
         Don't get me wrong; God loves when people do those things. What I am saying is, those things do not impress God. Therefore, I need to examine myself and what I do (or don't do) that impresses God. If this article were a scale, unfortunately, it would be severely unbalanced.
         I lie. Particularly, I lie about stupid things. "That's right, Mom. I haven't had a drink in a long time." Also, I am guilty of lust. There are many hot ladies around. I mean, gorgeous. What my imagination sees would be x-rated, I must say. I do not get any closer to God with those thoughts. One thing I have been guilty of in the past is being materialistic. Being worldly, valuing things of this world is stamped on me. But I really want that shirt! Nonsense.
         In a reassuring tone, you would tell me, "Candyman, you haven't mentioned one thing that is selfish. Don't be too hard on yourself." It may be a couple paragraphs since I mentioned the word selfishness, but I've described many things that are selfish, indeed. Don't understand? Consider what God gives us. With life, God gives us freedom, since we live in a free country. God gives us the love of family and friends. God gives us thought and free will. Above all, 2,000 years ago, God gave us the chance to redeem ourselves with a poor, skinny man and two wooden beams formed into a cross.
         When I do those things listed above, I am being selfish. God gives me life and I give him sin. I owe him better than that. I don't want to sound self-righteous, just self-critical. I sincerely hope I can be less selfish and more giving to God.