The Problem with Greed

Hello all you Christ-Seekers! Hope you had a fabulous day today!!! I have been thinking alot lately about greed. How do you know if you are greedy? What is greed and how does it affect you? The dictionary definition of greed is excessive or rapacious desire, especially for wealth or possessions. It is wanting more than you actually need. In the Bible it is clear that greed is inside all of us. It is an inner attitude. Mark 7:23 says, "all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man." Since it is an internal feeling and desire there is not one person that is free from being tempted by it. Some people may say there is nothing wrong with wanting good things in life. At what point is it wrong to want? It is not the wanting of money or possessions but the excess wanting of things is the sin. The Bible says we all have basic needs, (Matthew 6:32 and Proverbs 10:15), but we must keep these in balance. There are ways to check if you are being greedy. Do you try to get rich by cheating others? Do we cause unnecessary trouble to our families because of greed? Unfortunately some of the most greedy people are found among those that profess to be religious. "Those false teachers only want your money" (2 Peter 2:3). Greedy people accept pay for doing wrong (Proverbs 15:27). Greed and unhealthy desire interfere with our relationship with God and this is the greatest evil. Greed, is in fact idolatry (Colossians 3:5). Ultimately, the issue is if we value possessions and money over God. There is nothing wrong with having possessions just don't let them possess you. It is our attitude toward money and possessions that separate us from worldly people. Jesus said it is those who do not know God who keep running after these things (Matthew 6:32-33). The opposite of being greedy is trusting God. "Everything on Heaven and on earth belongs to you (God).....Riches and honor come from you" (1Chronicles 29:11-12). We should be like Paul and learn to be content in any circumstance (2 Thessalonians 3:10). This means we should seek first the kingdom of Heaven and His righteousness. What happens to greedy people? The bible clearly states that the greedy will have no part or inheritance in the Kingdom of God (1Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:5). Just remember to keep your lives free from the love of money and be satisfied with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). Join us next time for "The Truth of the Matter. Knowing the truth about everything really does matter."