"I'm greedy for wanting nice things; godly girls should be content with less."
How it sounds in your head: When I want something pretty or expensive, I feel guilty. Good Christian girls are supposed to be humble and not care about material things. Wanting more means I'm shallow and worldly.
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy."
-- 1 Timothy 6:17Religious poverty spirit: equating lack with holiness, desire with greed, making godliness synonymous with settling for less.
She's heard sermons about contentment and seen "godly women" praised for simplicity while desire for beauty or abundance is labeled vanity or materialism.
The father didn't give him a budget robe or second-hand ring—he gave him the BEST robe, the family ring, sandals, and threw a feast with the fattened calf. God's idea of restoration is EXTRAVAGANT, not economical, because He delights in lavishing love on His kids.
I REFUSE the lie that wanting beautiful things makes me greedy! IT IS WRITTEN in 1 Timothy 6:17 that God gives us RICHLY ALL THINGS TO ENJOY—He's not a God of barely-enough, He's a God of ABUNDANCE! My desires for nice things aren't shameful—they're invitations for my Father to show His generosity. IT IS WRITTEN in Psalm 37:4 to delight in the Lord and He gives me the DESIRES of my heart—He PUT those desires there! I reject poverty spirit religion and receive my Father's extravagant love! I'm blessed to enjoy beauty, abundance, and ALL good things!
Your Father doesn't roll His eyes at your desires for beautiful things—He PUT those desires in your heart so He could fulfill them! He's not stingy; He's the One who made sunsets, flowers, and hummingbirds just because they're beautiful.