“I want an oompa-loompa now Daddy! Get one for me NOW!!! I want a Goose that lays golden eggs Daddy. Get one for me NOW!”
How many parents have “Varuka Salts” at home? The original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of my favorite movies of all time. I like to watch it with my girls. I like to use Varuka as an example of a selfish little girl – a perfect example for my girls on what kind of girl NOT to be. In fact, whenever one of them starts the “begging”, I just say, “OK Varuka. Whatever you want Varuka. ” They get the point.
How many time are we like that in our lives. We see an advertisement of the latest gadgets and we just have to have one. It will save us time, money – headaches. After about a month, it usually ends up in some drawer never to be used again. Twelve months later, you are preparing for your annual garage sale and find it in the drawer and put it on sale for a fraction of what you paid for it.
In hindsight, why do we fall for these “latest” things. Why is it that we buy things we don’t need. I have felt sick helping out at one of our garage sales seeing items that we purchased and never ever used. Some (gulp) even have the price tags still attached! What a waste.
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
As you look at the verse, notice what Paul said. He said he “learned” to be content. It is not a natural instinct for us to be content. It is a learned behavior.
Why don’t you start “learning” by getting rid of excess “stuff”. There are hundreds of thousands of people down south who now have nothing.
