GREED! It's
germane to the human heart! No matter how much we have, we always want more! We
can say "I'm satisfied" but when the next advertisement appears, we
want that too! The Bible addresses the issue not infrequently. For instance, in
Proverbs 30:15 we read: "The leech has two daughters, 'Give,'
'Give.'" Some think the "leech" in those times was
the local veterinarian. He's a professional with probably a higher income than
most. The family lives well and so, of course, his girls are always shopping or
pouring through the catalogues. They really have a bad case of
"greed-itis." So, humorously, the writer renames the girls in order
to make a point for us who have the 'gimmies.' THE MESSAGE makes us smile when
it paraphrases the verse this way: "A leech has twin daughters named
"Gimme" and "Gimme more." But follow me into the
New Testament where Jesus, in an extended passage, said this: “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.” Read all of Luke
12:13-34 where Jesus really goes to town denouncing this evil. Am I
particularly struggling with this yearning of greed? I would be wise to really
spend time meditating upon these words of our Savior.
GREED characterizes so much in our posh western culture. Is it possible to live above it? Well, with God's strength we can. "(We) can do all things through Christ who strengthens (us)." Beyond the personal perspective we also are well aware that greed is notoriously part and parcel of the political scene which is so impregnated with corruption and the "missing millions."
Let me drive home this sin with this homey and pointed story: A priest went into a Washington D.C. barbershop, got his hair cut and asked how much he owed. "No charge, Father," the barber said. "I consider it a service to the Lord." When the barber arrived at his shop the next morning, he found a dozen small prayer booklets on the stoop along with a thank you note from the priest. A few days later a police officer came in. "How much do I owe you?" the cop asked after his haircut. "No charge, officer," the barber answered. "I consider it a service to my community." The next morning the barber found a dozen doughnuts on the stoop along with a thank you note from the police officer. A few weeks after that, a Senator walked in for a haircut. "How much do I owe you?" he asked afterward. "No charge," the barber replied. "I consider it a service to my country." The next morning when he arrived at the shop, the barber found a dozen more Senators on the stoop.
dr. dick christen
GREED characterizes so much in our posh western culture. Is it possible to live above it? Well, with God's strength we can. "(We) can do all things through Christ who strengthens (us)." Beyond the personal perspective we also are well aware that greed is notoriously part and parcel of the political scene which is so impregnated with corruption and the "missing millions."
Let me drive home this sin with this homey and pointed story: A priest went into a Washington D.C. barbershop, got his hair cut and asked how much he owed. "No charge, Father," the barber said. "I consider it a service to the Lord." When the barber arrived at his shop the next morning, he found a dozen small prayer booklets on the stoop along with a thank you note from the priest. A few days later a police officer came in. "How much do I owe you?" the cop asked after his haircut. "No charge, officer," the barber answered. "I consider it a service to my community." The next morning the barber found a dozen doughnuts on the stoop along with a thank you note from the police officer. A few weeks after that, a Senator walked in for a haircut. "How much do I owe you?" he asked afterward. "No charge," the barber replied. "I consider it a service to my country." The next morning when he arrived at the shop, the barber found a dozen more Senators on the stoop.
dr. dick christen
