Slaying Dragons: Greed — Monday
Luke 12:15
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (NLT)
“Money doesn’t grow on trees.” I cannot tell you how many times I heard that particular phrase growing up. My dad is a whiz when it comes to financial matters. He’s frugal, yet generous; wise with his finances, but able to enjoy life as well—not in a reckless kind of way, but in a well-planned, let’s-take-a-family-trip-next-year kind of way.
When we were little, my sister and I had three jars for our earnings. One for savings, one for tithe, and one for spending. My parents taught us 10-10-80 from an early age (10% to savings, 10% to tithe, and 80% to spend), which is something we talk about around Southland pretty frequently. It’s a solid financial method based on biblical principles of stewardship that not only help to provide financial freedom, but also keep some of the nastier things this world says are fine in check, like greed.
Greed is tricky because it takes different forms. It doesn’t just stop at wanting more. It can manifest in workaholism. It can lead to envy and covetousness. It can cause us to sacrifice what’s really important in life to chase after things that aren’t. And worst of all, it can lead to idolatry.
The Bible cautions us to “be on guard against any kind of greed.” Remember in Matthew 4 when Jesus was fasting in the desert? He encountered Satan, who said to Him, “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.” First, the audacity of that statement is ridiculous, but it also shows the true colors behind greed, not to mention Satan’s intention. He knows greed leads to idolatry, and he is more than willing to use it to tempt us away from holiness. Really, it’s kind of scary to think how easily he can trip us up… tempting us with that vacation we want to go on because everyone else gets to, or that house that’s more than we can afford but is so much bigger, or more attention, or more stuff, or more notoriety.
The thing is, none of it is important. When we get to heaven and meet Jesus, we don’t take any of that stuff with us. It all stays here on earth, and it all rots away. What remains is the people we’ve poured into and the closeness we had with the Lord. That’s it. The money and notoriety don’t matter. So be on guard, and let’s take some time today to evaluate.
Monday’s Reflection
What’s tripping you up? Have you made something else an idol in your life? Take some time to pray Psalm 139:23-24 today: God, examine me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any bad thing in me. Lead me on the road to everlasting life.