How can I stop being so greedy and self centred?

Question

I'm sixteen and this year I did the fourty hour famine for World Vision (this charity that feeds, clothes, schools and homes kids living in poverty). I tried to collect as much money as I could for the school prize, so it ended up being motivated by greed. Last year I did it because I wanted to help them. I gave one hundred and sixty dollars out of my own wallet(I get hundred a month for clothes, movies, stationary what ever I need) so it seemed like alot, but I was sure I would have plenty more money coming my way so I tried not to worry. I just ended up feeling bitter. How can I stop being so self-absorbed, and would god be angry at me for being so greedy and selfish?

Thanks for the help guys =)

Note I'm not American, so we don't use the same system or have the same economical problems. nzgirl= girl from New Zealand.

Answer 1

You are very aware to realize this about yourself.

Every morning try this meditation/contemplation..

Promise for the day to:

Remove anger from your life
Cultivate love
Stabilize your mind
Conceal your accomplishments
Praise others accomplishments
Reveal your own shortcomings
Do not reveal others shortcomings (unless with compassion)
Recognize all people as spiritual teachers
Take no pleasure in negative actions
Remove procrastination and laziness from your life
Speak peacefully and truthfully
Smile
Give freely
Abandon envy


You will see a difference in yourself immediately.

Answer 2

Hi
I'm sixteen, too, and I live in India. I thought about what you said, and I realised that what you feel is something that I can relate to. You see, I have felt the same at times when I have not paid enough attention to those around me, or thought only about what I feel, completely disregarding what others do. But when it comes to the amount of money you give, in my terms, what you gave is a lot. $160, to me, is Rs. 6400, or slightly more, an amount that I would consider pocket money for a year. So it is a lot. I think the important thing here, is the fact that you thought about someone else and were large-hearted enough to do something for them. I do not know how Christianity works, and what kind of God you believe in. But to me, I think the very fact that you gave something to help somebody is a good deed. As for your motivations, well, perhaps if you thought less critically about yourself, you would be able to be at peace with your actions.

Answer 3

Try charities. It's not yet over to change. You're given a chance. Try fasting for a day. Find your way to change for the better. Don't think much about money or being the best. Give your best. Try bonding with children who are orphans or cancer patients and listen to their stories. You will be touched and you might be inspired to do something more for God and neighbor. Don't think about yourself. Think of another's welfare before thinking of your own, but never put yourself in danger. But teach the children not to always expect. Teach them to be independent and hardworking. Tell them to also give to those who are worse off than them (if there are any) because they store up riches in Heaven, protected from moths, bacteria, rust and termites!

REMEMBER: True conversion can only be attained through almsgiving, sacrifice, prayer and repentance.

Have a nice day! Hope you'll like my advice!

Answer 4

Sadly I believe charity drives teach kids to do kindess for all the wrong reasons. It teaches them to always expect a reward for kindness. So they go through life doing good deeds purely because they expect kindness in return. Sadly it doesn't always work that way and then they fell burned out. Unfortunately not everyone you do something good for will want to or even be able to repay you. Also ask yourself is it fair to them to help them just so you'll have them in your pocket when you need them. Anytime you do something charity wise consider it just that charity. An act of kindness you performed out of the goodness of your own heart that may or may not be repaid.


Also don't be in such a hurry to give yourself guilt. If you feel you did something wrong then apologize and move on if you don't think you did anything wrong, skip the apology and forget about it. You don't sound greedy or self centered to me just confused. It's common at your age. Constantly guilttripping yourself is a great way to find yourself surrounded by users and manipulators. Psychic vampires who would play on your guilty conscience to get their way. I know, I've been down that road too.

Answer 5

By the grace of God there goes you...Meaning that it is so easy for one who is not living in it to look down upon someone else and say if only you tried. Sometimes people need help because they might be trying, but that little bit of help will go a long way. It saved my life...You might have been motivated by greed, but you did the right thing. You seem to be on your way!

Answer 6

Maybe you are here to help be responsible for the hungry children of the world. The way I see it is we have to selfishly meet our own needs before we can unselfishly meet the needs of others. Maybe you are to help the poor in such a way to make a lasting difference. There is no reason why you cannot command $200,000.00 weekends as a public speaker. Have people pay $2,500 for 500 seats, or $500.00 for 2,500 seats. Let them sit on the edge of their seats and listen to every drop of every word that falls off the tip of your tongue. If thats what you are called to. You deserve the best. I like that you are thinking about taking care of yourself to be able to take care of others. Maybe, you will have a cure for homelessness or hunger. In that you can take pride in something you do well. I am not sure what your part is. God want's to use you more than you want to be used of him. Who knows you better than that?

Answer 7

The first thing you need to realize is that our money system is a fraud. Virtually all american currency was made out of thin air in a fraud between congress and the Federal Reserve, which is neither a federal institution (privately owned), nor has any actual reserves. Look up the term "fiat money" in google or yahoo. Once you realize that all our money is literally worthless you will understand how little importance it has.

Answer 8

wanting compliment isn't egocentric, or incorrect. each and every time I do artwork, which i'm particularly good at, I hate while people compliment it, even in easy terms a sprint. because of the fact they're many times mendacity. because of the fact they do no longer observe each and all the failings that the writer notices. no longer something incorrect with being egocentric. it truly is nature.

Answer 9

You learned a valuable lesson...give..sacrifice a little...give...sacrifice a little...you don't have to be Ghandi or the Carnegy Foundation...Just the fact that you are asking this question means you are not selfish...most kids don't think like that now-a-days..your going to be just fine...

Answer 10

Try to think about others rather than to only think about yourself.If you see from other perspective you are very fortunate for having what you have now.So why not be more sincere in your action that surely will help you feel better.Try to change......