There’s a internal radio station that the world seems to be dialed into: WIIFM, which stands for “What’s In It For Me?” It’s the whole attitude that we don’t do anything except that which benefits ourselves. Unfortunately, that mindset has thoroughly infiltrated the Christian community. People worship in order to get spiritually moved. People pray in order to receive answers. People go to church in order to get “fed.” People turn to God to get blessed. For many, Christianity is a spiritual “WalMart”; spiritual consumers looking to get their needs met (at the best possible price – in terms of money, time and commitment!).
While it is entirely true that we look to God to meet all our needs, the Lord wants us to move on from being just spiritual consumers. There’s so much more to the abundant life than just “getting.” There is the blessing of “being”, of “becoming” and of “bestowing.”
BEING is the aspect of enjoying who we are in Christ. It is also enjoying the Supreme BEING – God, Himself. There are three aspects of being: understanding, thanksgiving and praising. We understand who we are in Christ through the Word. We remember to thank God for what He has done for us. We reflect and praise God for who He is. It sounds so simple, but are we really taking the time to DO these things? Or are we so worried about “getting mine” that all we have time for are “gimme prayers?” When you come to church or small group, do you come to “get” or to “give”? I guarantee that the Spirit will really flow in our gatherings if we come with the mindset to give a sacrifice of praise and worship to the Lord!
BECOMING is allowing God’s will to be done in our lives. It is allowing Jesus to have the final word in our decision making; even if it goes against our own desires. It is dying to ourselves and living for Christ. Too often we call Jesus “Lord”, but we do not do what He tells us! An indication that you are on the road to BECOMING (instead of getting) is that you are choosing to do God’s will over your own. When was the last time you made a decision based on God’s Word over your own desires? If it was more than a week or two ago, you are probably more dialed into WIIFM than you realize.
BESTOWING is being a blessing to others. It is an attitude that says, “I am God’s vessel; who can I bless today?” It is not seeking to do good to others in order to be recognized (Jesus speaks out against this type of spiritual manipulation in Matthew 7); rather, it is one of those things we do simply because we love God. In fact, the best type of bestowing is done anonymously.
We need to tune into the right station. Move the dial from WIIFM and sing the song of WCIDFY (What can I do for You?)
Look what You’ve done for me. Your blood has set me free… Free at last, I’m free! I owe You my life completely… What can I do for you, my Lord? I want you to know my heart is Yours. It’s not a question of what you can do for me, but what can I do for You, my Lord? (“Look What You’ve Done” by Tree 63)
WholeLifeWorship 
Very powerful, Doug!! In our culture, we have to be ever mindful of preparing our hearts to be givers and not consumers as we “run the race” daily. I must admit, I have so far to go in this area! Sometimes it seems I’ve gotten no further than, “amen” before I’m looking at how the rest of the day might affect me. Obviously, we all have to look at the tasks at hand on any given day, but often I find myself looking at my day in light of how the tasks might affect me, rather than how God might want to use me to affect others. Although I ask the Lord to present me with “divine appointments” in the course of the day, I also need to ask Him to help me not miss them. I have to be ever mindful of my “bent” towards focusing on ME-otherwise, I will miss those “God moments” to be “light and salt”-not just in the things I say, but also in the things I do (or don’t do)-over and over again.
Great insight, Myrna! The “consumer” gene in us is insidious, isn’t it? I believe it is one of the core issues of our fallen nature and not just a “bad habit” that we’ve grown accustomed to. It requires not only the daily “intention” of our whole life worship, but also (and especially) the grace of God to transform us from “getters” to “givers.”
This is one of the best and most clearest messages I have heard in a long time. And I needed it. Thank you!
This is a well written message that we all need to hear over and over again. No wonder we are never satisfied. We are trying to please the wrong person (ourself). May God help me spend time doing what He asks me to do!