Greed

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

—Luke 12:16 (NIV)

Greed. Insatiability. We strive, but we are never satisfied. We add more and more, but it is never enough. There is a void that no possession will fill. Life, which is meant to bring fulfillment, does not consist of an abundance of possessions, but of an abundance of Him. When you are filled with Him, there is no room for greed.

Self can be a dangerous thing. There is always something better or bigger. Our eyes see that there is more to be had. Our ears hear others speak of their possessions or achievements. We endeavor to reach what is never enough, and we become defeated because we are never satisfied. A self-made man becomes just that. Self-made. Not surrendered. Full of his own accomplishments instead of realizing the abilities God has imparted to Him. Full of himself instead of a gentle heart of mercy and grace.

The American dream can become the American nightmare when we allow what we have to be greater that who we are. Be careful. Guard your heart against all kinds of greed. There is nothing wrong with having possessions. Just be sure that the love of Jesus rules your heart instead of the love of money. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” Paul wrote to Timothy. “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (I Timothy 6:10, NIV).

Surrender self. Remain eager for Him. Then greed will be defeated.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

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