This is the continual conundrum we all face—the fight between our flesh and our spirit.

My flesh speaks loudly, urging me to satisfy its longings: food, money, leisure, greed, entertainment. Yet my spirit longs for something deeper. It cries out for purpose, love, relationships, and forgiveness.

The late theologian Martin Luther described three conversions: our mind, our heart, and our wallet. God changes how we think, cleanses and transforms our heart, and stirs in us a holy desire to generously invest in His kingdom.

Paul gave us the recipe: giving breaks the back of greed. “God so loved the world that He gave…” And he reminded us: “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 NLT)

So each day I must choose—which is better? Will my focus be to give, or to get?

Paul found joy in investing in others. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 NLT) This doesn’t mean thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. That shift opens our hearts to dream for eternity—dreams of helping others instead of always dreaming for ourselves.

Here’s a practical plan: make a daily goal of investing in others. Ask the Holy Spirit to point you to at least one person each day who needs help, encouragement, or a listening ear. Share your faith story, offer assistance, and let generosity flow from a heart transformed by Christ.