DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: MARCH 4 THE WORLD OF GREED (4) Scripture: Luke 12: 15; 1 Tim. 3: 3, 8
This last series mainly focused on Christians and greed. Greed which we have been following is a deadly sin, a bane of righteous work. Greed negates work of faith and a destroyer of love for mankind and for God. Christians and greed must part ways if they should make heaven. Jesus dropped warning against pursuing possessions greedily in Luke 12: 15. There, Christians are told to “…beware of covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in abundance of the things he possesses.” Covetousness is greed. Covetousness is extreme greed for materials and wealth. It is not a good character that Christians should possess. Jesus discouraged Christians from thinking of stockpiling things for themselves while neglecting their relationship with God and fellowmen.
There can be no limit to our wants as human beings. Satan understands we are insatiable, both in acquiring money and materials. So he comes loading our hearts with greed. Instead of Christians to become extremely desirous of grabbing all that comes his or her ways, they are to be contented with whatever they have. We are told that contentment is godliness and it draws God’s love upon us. Apostle Paul pointed out that “…godliness with contentment is a great gain” (1 Tim. 6: 6 KJV). Greed by definition is selfishness which makes one focuses on self instead of giving what one has to help another person. As Christians, if God blesses us, or opens an avenue of riches and wealth to us, we are not to use it suppressing others. We are to use our wealth to build up humanity and communities.
Any Christian leader that is greedy should know he or she is working against divine order. The injunction of not to be greedy is found among other qualifications for Christians who will be leaders. In 1 Timothy 3: 3; we see it: “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre…” Also in 1 Timothy 3: 8, it reads “Likewise must the deacon be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.” The word “lucre means money or gains too. It is therefore, unchristian attitude for a Christian to be greedy. No Christian should love money and materials more than fellow humans, crave for political position with selfish interest against the wellbeing of his or her fellow beings. Our righteous work on earth is putting in place things due to us in heaven. If is for owning houses, each of us will be given a mansion when we get to heaven (John 14: 2). If it is leadership positions, Jesus Christ said in one of His Parables that the faithful ones will become rulers of many things (Matt. 25: 23). Each one of us, according to Apostle Paul, will be given positions to judge the fallen angels on the last day (1 Cor. 6: 3). What a glorious leadership position?
PRAYERS:
1. Father, search me and see if there is dangerous seed of greed in me and purge me of it today in Jesus name.
2. Lord Jesus, help me to live a life of contentment here on earth, since godliness with contentment is great gain.
3. Pray that God on His own chastise the Christians with covetous spirit and bring them back to Salvation in Jesus name.
POSITIVE CONFESSION
I am a testimony of godly heritage; lines of goodness are falling on me in pleasant places. Hallelujah!!
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