Rewiring The Desire To Acquire Series

Intro; Today’s message is dealing with the area of Greed.

Greed is another one of those sins that you can’t see but the people around you can see it in you.

Perhaps you with the mentioning of the word greed a face popped up in your mind. Could be your wife or husband.

Greed says many things but they are all in one area. Just one more car, house, rod and reel, donut, piece of pie, suit, boat, and one more of this or that.

Enough is never enough, Greed has us in the sleeper hold and we can’t get away.

Greed is the focus of our daily lives, computer companies make it where by the time the make one computer it is out dated by the time it hits the shelves. You buy it today and six weeks down the road you want the newest one out and you have to re-buy it again.

Large oil companies keep automotive dealers from ever making a car that would go only on electricity. They are greedy and want you and I to need all their oil.

Greed led to Samuel’s sons taking under the table bribes.

Greed led Esau to sell his birthright and blessing to Jacob.

Greed caused a rich young ruler to turn away from the Lord Jesus.

Greed has turned the sport’s industry into a bunch of rich beggars.

There was a question that was asked by a number of Americans,

What would you do for Ten Million Dollars?

1. 25% said that they abandon all of their friends.

2. 23% said that they would be willing to work as a prostitute for a week.

3. 16% would give up their citizenship.

4. 10% would hold evidence that would let a murderer go free.

5. 7% said that they would murderer a stranger.

6. 6% said they would change their race.

7. 4% would have sex-change operation.

Where is this greedy world headed too! We want too much and give too little back.

I. Is there a difference between Greed and Ambition?

In times past, Greed has been considered a vice, but now a day it is attributed as a competitive edge, go-getters.

Greed is no longer looking at it as a sin.

In fact, many people now look at greed as good. It is a sign of being highly motivated toward success.

Many call greed a desire to reach the top of the social ladder, a desire to improve oneself, a desire to set goals, and to have nice things.

Many don’t consider it to be a deadly sin. It is having good taste and an appreciation for quality.

Now, throughout the Bible there are lists of wicked behaviors or vices and nearly always, greed is included. It is found along side of murder, deceit, sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, and hate.

The Bible calls greed a “grievous sin.”

But today let’s look at

II. God’s remedy for Greed.

The Bible shows and tells us of only one behavior that can remedy Greed and the is “generosity.”

You see Greed is self-centered. Generosity is focused on others.

Greed Hoards. Generosity relinquishes.

Greed holds on tight. Generosity shares freely.

Greed is closefisted. Generosity is openhanded, and ready to give to them that has a need.

Greed keeps a mental list of all our wants. Generosity keeps a mental list of those that have a need.

Paul taught us four lessons about generosity,

1. Generosity in Attitude.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV)

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

We are to be cheerful in giving, eager to give, bring our offerings in laughing all the way. You have heard laugh all the way to the bank?

I have never met a negative generous person. They are usually upbeat, positive, optimistic, and faith-filled.

Giving with a faithful heart means that we don’t give with an ulterior motive, generosity with nothing following.

Most give with the thought of getting something in return.

God never in the Word promises that if you give something to some that you are going to receive something in return.

Give with a thankful heart, a grateful heart, and a happy heart.

Attitude has all to do with giving. You can have the attitude of I have to give, or I get to give.

Those who regard giving as something that the have to do tend also to believe that they have earned what they have received. I have heard people say, “I have spent long hours earning my money, and all the church wants to do is take it.” They do not have a cheerful heart in giving, so they give it because they have too.

Some people feel as if they are solely responsible for what they have earned and God had little to nothing to do with it.