Luke 12:15 But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one is affluent does his life consist of his possessions.”
Jesus was talking to a crowd and when he finished a man yelled out to him, “Tell my brother to give me half of what he has inherited. Jesus then responded to the man, “Who has made me judge over the two of you?” He then warned the people of greed. He then told them a parable concerning a rich man who wanted more. He decided to build him a bigger barn to store all the food he had grown. After the barns were built, he said to himself he had enough food to last for years. That night God said to him, “Your soul will leave you tonight. Who will own all that you owned.” Jesus then said, “Such is the man who stores riches for himself, and not the riches in a relationship with God.”
After the death of a dear woman, her children went to war with each other. The war raged on for years and in the end, they all lost. It was difficult to watch. The one that tricked their mother wanted everything she had and did not want to share. This entire nightmare was created by greed.
Most of us never get to that extreme, but we all tend to have moments of greed. For some of us it is with food. Others it is for things. When owning things matter more than actually caring for them, we have lost the value of the things we own. When owning things matter more than our family, we have lost connection with our families. When owning things, prevent us from being grateful to God for the things He gives us, we become selfish.
Life is more than our possessions. Each day is a gift- Are you thankful that day? Each person in your life is a gift to your life, Are you thankful for that person? Greed makes us selfish but giving thanks makes us more giving of all of our possessions including our time and our love.
As Jesus said, “Be on guard for every kind of greed.”
Today’s Question:
Have you ever been tempted by greed, and what was the outcome?
Ever in Christ’s love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
January 31, 2024 & April 29, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 