Modern conveniences and technology are wonderful additions to our life.  Ten years ago things would not have changed significantly for most folks if the computer had crashed.  Now, life is in disarray when such an incident happens.

Architectural and spatial design have brought many improvements to our generation.  Some changes, however, may not bring out the best in human nature.  They could encourage self-indulgence.  For example, your master bathroom may be designed with two sinks.  The master bedroom can have two closets.  Neither spouse has to share a sink or a closet.  The wife does not have to wait upon the husband to use the sink.  No one has to wait to get clothes from a closet.  In the past these shared spaces were opportunities for couples to learn patience and humility.  Some technology allows car seats to be heated for the comfort of the individual occupant.  Forget the days of the car’s interior being heated to one shared temperature. I might, also, mention the trend toward larger beds so that individuals can have more of  “my space.”

I am not opposed to any of these technical advances or to countless others that could be mentioned.  They are not sinful.  They can be used to God’s glory and with great thankfulness.

Users must be careful, however, not to become entangled in selfishness.  Some of the new designs are a direct result of man’s depravity.  We, each, like to use our things where and when we want them.  Waiting is hard.  Knowing this, architects have changed blueprints to allow for bigger and better spaces. Advertisements promote the “bigger is better” theme.  Users do not have to deal with inconvenience any longer.

What happens when we go to the kitchen and someone is helping to prepare a meal?  Probably each person will need to use the sink.  Do you find yourself becoming impatient because the faucet is unavailable for your immediate use?  Do you discover your selfishness running unchecked when the room temperature is not to your liking?  Does your schedule go haywire when the microwave malfunctions?

We must continually remind ourselves that technology does not remedy our selfishness.  The problem is in our heart, not in the number of sinks we have or do not have.

We are born selfish.  We see this in ourselves and our children.  We do not have to teach them to be selfish.  We have to teach them how to share and how to value private property within the family.  We do not deal with children’s selfishness by buying Susie a doll just like April’s, so they will not fight over April’s doll.  It is fine that Susie have another doll, like or unlike April’s.  Possessing the same doll does not deal with the problem of selfishness in a sinner’s heart.

We begin with the fact of Christ’s unselfishness.  He left heaven and took on flesh (Phil. 3:5-7).  He even gave up His will that the Father’s will would be accomplished (Lk. 22:42).  Having been redeemed by Christ, we are called to strive for a life of unselfishness–imperfect as it may be.

We must realize that all we have is by God’s grace.  Our possessions are really owned by God. (Ps. 50:l0).  God in a real sense is sharing them with us during our earthly pilgrimage.  Nothing I have is ultimately mine.  It all belongs to Him.  I must learn to hold it loosely.

The second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Lev. l9:l8).  We do not have to love our neighbor more than ourselves, just as much as we love ourselves.  That one goal is enough to last for a lifetime.  It is hard.  We love ourselves a lot.  Who is our neighbor?  Our neighbor is anyone who is in need, as Jesus taught in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk. L0:30ff).  Our neighbor may very well be a spouse who needs to use the sink at the very time we want to use it.

We do not need to redesign our kitchens or bedrooms.  Rather, we need to redesign our hearts and actions.  We must remember that others are as important as we are.  We need to pray for patience and to repent of assuming that we must always be first.  As we learn to share, we begin to model sharing before our children and grandchildren.

Remember those closets and sinks are God’s gifts to us, they are not our right.  Such thinking increases our thankfulness to God and brings Him glory.

©2006 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia