Greed, Thursday May 12, 2011

Greed
 
 Reading:Luke 12:15, Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

The three key words of greed are more, more and more. The Greek word in today’s verse means, “Wanting more of what you already have enough of.”

Greed is like a slithering snake. It creeps around us. It is never satisfied. When you feed it… its hunger increases. You’ve seen it in others and felt it in yourself… “just one more piece of pizza, one more hour of work, on more new suit.”

In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus teaches a simple story about greed. A rich man harvested a great crop, so he decided to rip down his barns and build even bigger ones to hold everything he owned. He decided to party and take life easy. He had it made and his desire was, “More, I want more.” What he got instead was not what he expected. God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

Greed makes us cut corners. It makes us neglect our values. We sell out our integrity to get something we want. Greed causes us to lose more than we ever gain, because in the drive to acquire we have to neglect others in our lives. At the end of our lives, what can we really take with us? Only the best thing… our faith in Jesus Christ… and that’s a free gift.

What do you desire to have more of… be honest?


How can you look around today and appreciate what you have and enjoy the satisfaction of the amazing gift(s) that God has given you without needing more?
REVIEW
 
Were you able to take time today to appreciate what you have and thank God?


How did this impact your perception of needing more and what God has already done for you?