August 3, 2019
For full passage click: Luke 12: 13-15 …“And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’” vs. 15
In our age of extravagant consumption, it’s easy to point fingers at the super-rich and accuse them of living greed-driven lives. Their garish displays of ostentatious wealth are regularly splayed across our television screens for all to see. But we don’t have to be wealthy to be plagued by greed and avarice. Almost all of us, at one time or another, feel the lust for possessions, and some of us spend a great deal of time wishing that we had more, or coveting what belongs to our neighbors. Even presumably loving families can be torn apart when it comes to dividing an estate; disputes about inheritance have caused irreparable rifts among siblings and it didn’t start yesterday. Greed has been around for a long, long time! Some would even argue that greed is good, that it’s an essential part of the capitalistic system, and without it, progress and innovation would grind to a halt. Jesus didn’t see it that way and plainly told his disciples that greed was a powerful enemy, one that could distort the whole purpose of life. He intimated that we can live without greed and many have taken him at his word. They’ve learned the art of simple living, attend to basic needs, and revel in the delights of being alive in this incredible universe.
Thought for the Day: When have I noticed myself being greedy?
0 Comments