Have you ever been walking down the toy aisle at the store, seen the newest video game or coolest shoes, and felt like you just HAD to have them right that second? Suddenly, everything you already own feels boring, and all you can think is, “I want that! Gimme, gimme, gimme!” We call that having a bad case of the “gimmies.” It’s that itchy feeling inside that tells us we need more and newer stuff to be happy.

The problem with the gimmies is that new stuff never actually satisfies us for long. The moment you get that awesome new toy, a newer and faster version comes out next week, and you’re back to wanting more! But God wants us to know a secret: stuff isn’t the answer to true happiness. Instead of constantly begging for more, God invites us to trust Him because He promises to give us everything we truly need.

Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Curing a case of the gimmies starts with practicing gratitude—being thankful for what you already have! When you catch yourself whining for a new game or complaining that your phone isn’t the newest model, try swapping your “gimme” thoughts for “thank you” thoughts. Remember, there’s a big difference between things we want and things we actually need, like food, clothes, a home, and God’s love.

Here’s a life hack to win over the gimmies this week: whenever you feel super tempted to ask for something new, stop and name three things you already own that you’re super grateful for. When we focus on God’s incredible goodness and how much He cares for us, our hearts fill up with joy that no store-bought toy could ever give us. Choose to shine with a thankful heart that reflects Jesus every single day!

Talk About It

  1. If you could invent a super silly gadget that does anything you want, what would it do?
  2. What main verse did we learn about God supplying our needs, and where is it found in the Bible?
  3. Parents, when you were kids, what was a toy or trend you begged for that you eventually got bored of?
  4. Why is it so hard to stop wanting new things when all our friends at school have them, and how can Jesus help us be content?
  5. What is one practical way our family can practice saying “thank you” for what we have instead of asking for more stuff this week?