"Wanting nice things at my age is selfish when others have so little"
How it sounds in your head: You've had your turn. Your kids are struggling to make ends meet and you're thinking about a nice trip or remodeling? That's vanity. You should downsize, sacrifice, and give everything away. Wanting comfort now feels greedy.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
-- 3 John 1:2Religious teaching that equates scarcity with holiness and abundance with selfishness
You've watched friends sell homes, downsize drastically, and wear sacrifice like a badge. The church has praised those who give until it hurts while side-eyeing anyone who enjoys retirement comforts.
Abraham was 75+ when God called him, and Genesis 13:2 says he was 'very rich in livestock, silver and gold.' God made him wealthy in his senior years—this was the BLESSING, not a character flaw.
I REFUSE the lie that wanting nice things is selfish. IT IS WRITTEN that the Father prays I prosper in ALL things. I am Abraham's seed through Christ—the BARAK blessing of provision, protection, and prosperity is mine by COVENANT, not behavior. IT IS WRITTEN in Galatians 3:13-14 that Christ redeemed me from the curse so the blessing of Abraham comes upon me. God DELIGHTS in my prosperity. I receive abundant provision without guilt, knowing my Father RUNS toward me with the fattened calf, not rice and beans.
Your Father sees you eyeing that blessing and He's RUNNING toward you with it before you even ask. He's not keeping a scorecard of who deserves what—He's the Father who killed the fattened calf for a son who blew everything on prostitutes, simply because He loves extravagant celebration over His children.