Scripture Passage:  “He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live.”  Proverbs 15:27

 

Dear Friends,

 

     Webster says greed is an acquisitive desire beyond reason.  To be greedy is to be eagerly desirous especially of wealth.  The synonym of greed is covetousness.

There is a slogan heard on television that states this principle perfectly.  “I want it all, I want it all, and I want it right now.”  Solomon also said that we are to refrain our feet from walking in the path of the greedy because it ends up consuming the life of the guilty party.  (Proverbs 1:15-19)  Paul’s words to young Timothy was that the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.          (I Timothy 6:10)   His instruction for godly living was to be content with the things we have.         (I Timothy 6:6-8)  God’s message to Jeremiah was that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.  The man that gets riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.  (Jeremiah 17:9-11)  I believe greed, jealousy, and bitterness are three vices that will totally consume and destroy any man – including a Christian.

 

     The Apostle John wrote:  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.”  (I John 2:15-17)

 

     The problem with greed is it causes us to lose focus on what is truly important: our relationship with God and with each other.  It causes us to selfishly pursue what we believe will benefit us the most instead of pursuing the common good for everyone.  We begin to view everyone with skepticism and become paranoid of others motives.  What we have is never enough – and will never be enough, because greed is an insatiable monster that never gets full.  The only cure I know of is a shot of love.  Fall in love with God again afresh and anew.  Our love for God will also cause us to love one another.  In the end, it is all we have that will be of eternal value.

 

In Christ, Pastor Johnny