Treasure Grabbers!

     Early one morning a few week ago I was waiting for an estate sale to open - near the front because I'd shown up an hour before it would start.  Though there are some who will get a place in line before sunrise, I've always found the one hour rule to give me a good spot. It was close to opening when I noticed that the line had grown substantially - going down the drive way and around a corner. There was a reason for the large crowd.  The pictures and description of items to be found at the sale was posted online at http://www.EstateSales.NET , and there were some wonderful furniture pieces, collectibles and jewelry being offered. So wonderful, in fact, that people in the back of the line paced up to the front, gazed through windows for a peek, then reluctantly returned to their spot.

A stunning Accessocraft NYC chain belt from this sale!

     Right on time, the owner of the company organizing the sale walked out to give everyone instructions on where the check out was located and reminded them to be careful - the house was full. As she turned around, impatient buyers in the back of the line stampeded forward.

     The workers were able to restore order quickly, but the excitement over the sale was greatly diminished by the selfish actions of a few.

     Last week I extolled the virtues of treasure hunting - the friends, collaboration, the camaraderie- but the tribulation selfish hunters cause is also a part of our experience.
   

     It's how we react to those tribulations - the wrong behavior of others -  that reveals what's in our own heart:

• Do we become angry - and cause an ugly scene?
• Do we vow to revenge the hurt we've received?
• Do we judge the offender, and filled with pride, declare ourselves better?   

    Or...

• Do we choose to "...guard our mouth and tongue - keeping our soul from troubles..."?  
• Do we remember that God has said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay"?
• Do we see ourselves as one of the "all" who have sinned - and fallen short of God's expectation for us?

     Jesus told His disciples, "...In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." And we can also overcome, "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?' (1 John 5:5) Jesus Christ is our example of what it means to be "selfless", He cared more about us than He cared for His own life, choosing to give it up as the necessary sacrifice for our sin.

      Our selfishness is a tribulation to those around us. When we stampede through life only thinking of ourselves, someone else may be hurt! 

    "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21.