The Smile of Avarice

I was in a casino (as part of my job) today and saw a man walk by with this huge, greedy looking smile. I realized that he had just won more than a few hundred dollars. You could just about see the wheels turning in his mind. Already, he seemed to be comtemplating his next big score. He was wearing the smile of avarice.
How often do we go to church just to receive a blessing? We are there to lift up our hands just right and hope for the goosebumps to begin. Maybe if we move a little extra, we will get some extra shockamoo going. All the while wearing the smile of avarice.
How often do we come to church with a smile? We are ready for whatever the preacher hands out. "Lay it on me pastor" we may say, all the while wearing the smile of avarice. We are ready to receive all that God has for us today.

Church is not about me. It is about Him.

We must get away from the idea that it is about receiving. It must become about giving. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Are we so caught up in the receiving of a blessing that is so small that we miss out on the greater blessing that comes through giving unmitigated praise to Him?
When was the last time we went to church and made up our minds ahead of time that regardless of whether or not I feel His touch, I am going to worship Him with all of my might?
I believe that if we can take on this attitude, we will begin to see God bless not only us but those around us in greater measure than before simply because we decided to give instead of receiving.
NI