When my preacher says something that really strikes me, I write it down in the front of my Bible. Sunday, Don Mauldin said this, “Greed comes back to bite us but gratitude lifts us up.”
It’s a simple yet profound reminder of two very different ways of looking at life. Greed is never satisfied. It whispers, “More,” and then, “Just a little more,” until we find ourselves consumed—restless, and anxious. It promises fulfillment but delivers emptiness.
Gratitude, on the other hand, sets us free. It shifts our eyes from what we lack to what we already have. Gratitude doesn’t require abundance—it only needs awareness. When we give thanks, even in the small things, we rise above our circumstances. Our hearts become lighter, our souls more peaceful, and our relationships richer. We shine!
Jesus modeled this perfectly. Even before feeding the five thousand, He gave thanks for what little they had—five loaves and two fish. Gratitude opened the door for a miracle.
Greed says, “I deserve more.” Gratitude says, “God, thank You for what You’ve already given.” One pulls us downward into self-centeredness; the other lifts us upward into God’s presence.
Let’s choose gratitude today. In a world that tempts us with constant comparison and the pursuit of more, let’s pause and thank God for all He has done for us. When we do, we’ll find ourselves lifted—not by the weight of possessions, but by the joy of contentment and the nearness of Christ.