When Greed Gets in the Way we fall into danger of negatively affecting our relationship with God…
Nehemiah 5:1-5…
Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. 2Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.”
3Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” 4Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
5Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”
Greed has us taking from others in excess of what we ourselves even need. This can be a terrible thing whether in church or our own personal lives.
Some of the greatest attacks can happen from within. Nothing can stop the work of Jesus Christ in the church, like its own membership. Our priorities can get out of whack. This can prevent God from finishing His work.
There are dangers of which we need to be alerted that can affect our hearts. Greed…
- makes people ignore the Word of God
- causes people to see nothing but personal gain
- robs us of compassion
- changes our priorities
It is not about how many things you have that get us closer to God. It is all about worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. If it was something that we could bring of ourselves, God would have put that in the Bible.
What is the cure for greed? It is not to be more greedy, and look to acquire even more things. It is always giving. Giving to God is an expression of our faith in God, our dependency upon Him, and our love for Him.
We need to share with our brothers and sisters who are in need. When we give to the poor, we are giving to the kingdom- we are giving to God!