Seven Deadly Sins: Greed Series

Fear is a poor motivator for virtue, but an excellent one for greed. Sometimes greed is simply a desire to have so much that we can’t possibly run out. Let me say this up front, I have a deep and devoted love for my father and mother for the sacrifices and hardship they endured to raise my siblings and me. After all of his hard work, my dad is enjoying his retirement and giving me something to look forward to. But I want to share something of my past with you. When I was young, my father worked 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to provide for us. When I was in elementary school, for a while I was one of the kids on the special lunch program (which was embarrassing for me, especially after my friends found out). This program allowed families with lower income to purchase lunch at a reduce price. Also one summer we participated in a summer lunch program where low-income families could come for a free hot lunch. I remember being so embarrassed that once I refused to eat – I chose to be hungry. (Remember last week’s message on pride – I was the poster child for pride). I did not understand until I was grown the impact that this had on me. It led me to walk in greed in some areas – especially as it relates to money. Today I do not like having bills, owing anyone anything and not being able to pay my own way. There was a time if I lent people money I would be on them to pay me back – as soon as possible, now I a little different in that area. My point to this is I can trace this attitude back to my days as a child and worrying about where my next meal would come from.

Today, in order to find a balance between my fear that led to greed, I am learning to trust God in all areas of my life. The stock market could crash, we could lose our jobs or health, and we could be sued. If we acquire enough stock, real estate or cash on hand and think we will be safe from want, it is an illusion. There is no perfect preventative for want. Trust in God frees us from a need to build a massive buffer against poverty. Trusting in God calms our fears because we begin to understand that regardless of what happens, God is in control and can bring us through. Remember one definition of fear is False Expectations Appearing Real.

III. Greed and Acquisition Enslavement

Remember what Luke 12:15 said? It said “Beware and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”

Spending your whole life seeking material things is slavery, plain and simple. We can reduce ourselves to a small and cold desire to accumulate more electronic gear, trading cards, antiques and other collectibles. It should be far beneath our dignity as human beings to enslave ourselves to objects of our own making (something made by the hands of humans). Yet we find that this is really the situation in which many people live. It is said that our possessions in some ways may come to own us. Consider what Solomon says in Proverbs:

Proverbs 28:22 “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him. (New American Standard)