The Qualitative Difference

When Christians talk about giving or sacrificing for the cause of Christ, we often emphasize our sense of duty: "We're supposed to sacrifice for Christ because of all that Jesus did for us." This is, of course, a true statement, but what we should also emphasize is the qualitative difference in a life of sacrifice compared to a life driven by a concern for personal wealth and security. 

There is not only the quantitative difference in the sacrificial versus the self-indulgent lifestyle (in that one results in a smaller bank account and fewer "toys" than the other), but there is definitely a qualitative difference as well. There is a solidness or a richness in the experience of sacrificial giving that is just not present in things done only for the self. 

When this is understood, it becomes clear that, in the big picture, not sacrificing is really the more painful and regrettable option, but why is this so often hard to realize when we are in the contemplation stage before making a decision about how to spend our resources? 

MM