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Bible Blast: Read 1 Samuel 30:8-25

David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the LORD has given us.” 1 Samuel 30:23

Katherine Reutter is big into necklaces, or should I say she’s into big necklaces? Katherine competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in the short-track speed-skating competition, and she ended up winning two very large necklaces—a silver one and a bronze one. Those necklaces happened to be Olympic medals!

You may not know this, but some countries, including the United States, pay Olympic athletes a bonus for each medal they win. Katherine won $25,000 with her silver and bronze medals. And do you know what she did with that money?

She gave it to her parents to get some work done on their house.

Why?

Because Katherine’s parents had sacrificed a lot of time and money over the years to help Katherine become a professional speed skater, and one thing they weren’t able to take care of was their house. Mr. and Mrs. Reutter’s home was in desperate need of serious repairs and remodeling, but they just didn’t have the cash to take care of it.

Katherine could have been really selfish with her fame and money, but she wasn’t just thinking about herself. She wanted to give back to her parents to honor them for all they had sacrificed for her.

Love isn’t self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:5). That means a girl who truly loves doesn’t just think about herself and how to make her life easier. She thinks about others. She loves and gives freely, even if she doesn’t get anything in return.

Most parents don’t give to their kids because they want something back from them. They give because they love their kids. You don’t need to feel that you have to pay your parents back for everything they’ve done, but it’s important to realize how they’ve sacrificed for you. When you understand that, it will be a good motivator for you to give back to them freely when they need it most.

Girl Gab: If someone gave you $25,000 right now, what would you do with it? What about your mom? Pray that God would open your eyes to give generously to those in need.