Genesis 32:26b “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Greed infects many people. Clear warning signs of this malady often pop up around the beginning of December. Stores skim over Thanksgiving and jump right into Christmas immediately following Halloween. Under the surface, this potpourri of holiday cheer reeks of self-centeredness as merry participants continually add to their wish lists. But lest you become discouraged over our world’s morass of self-indulgence, I must tell you of a few requests you should greedily solicit.

A well-known Bible character, Jacob, made one of these approved requests. He found himself in a difficult situation after stealing his brother Esau’s birthright. Forced to flee for his life, he spent many years exiled from his home. Much time passed. Jacob was now returning to the land of his youth and he feared retaliation.

After preparing lavish gifts to ease the upcoming meeting with his estranged brother, Jacob sent his wives and children across a small ford. While sitting alone by the brook, he encountered a Man, the angel of the Lord, who wrestled with him until daybreak. Jacob tenaciously refused to quit wrestling, asserting, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

What did Jacob want from God? Wasn’t he already blessed? Yet Jacob greedily hung on until he received his petition. I believe he wanted assurance that God would fulfill the promise He had made to him many years before and in so doing provide protection in this difficult circumstance. Jacob refused to let go until God rewarded him. And God gave him the blessing he wanted.

Moses, another well-known Bible personality, had a deep desire as well. He petitioned the Lord, “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight.” Moses desperately desired a personal knowledge of God’s glory and a guarantee that the Lord would always be with Him as he carried the burden of a stubborn nation. The Lord readily complied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

And besides that, in the book of Hebrews, God welcomes His children to boldly approach His throne with our requests. There He promises we will receive all the grace and mercy we need.

These illustrations represent only a few of the gifts we should greedily desire. What better blessing could there be than God’s presence, protection, grace, mercy and glory?

This holiday season indulge a little. But instead of filling your list with temporal things, ask for gifts that only God can give. Boldly petition and don’t let go. For these you can be greedy and God will gladly bless.