THURSDAY // 29th August 2024
Be on your guard against all kinds of GREED!
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Luke 12:15
Greed walks hand-in-hand with partners such as malice, deceit, theft, envy, evil thoughts, lewdness, adultery, slander, arrogance, murder, and all kinds of folly (see Mark 7:21-22). All of them originate in the sinful hearts of human beings. They all represent different aspects of greed. Theft is greed for things that are perceived as valuable to the thief. Envy and slander represent a greed for reputation. Lewdness and adultery are forms of sexual greed. Arrogance and murder amount to greed for power and vengeance.
Do not let your own financial uncertainty make you do something rash and foolish. Do not do something dishonest. Do not go the way of the world. Do not worry about yourself. Instead, put your trust in God and ask Him what to do. He knows what to tell you. He’s just waiting for you to stop trying to solve things yourself and to start to pay attention to His directions. If you pay attention, you will know when He is pricking your conscience. He will warn you when your heart starts to brew up some form of malice, deceit, theft, envy, evil thoughts, lewdness, adultery, slander, arrogance, murder, or other kinds of folly.
When Jesus said “watch out,” He meant that it could happen to you, especially if you do not even know you’re greedy. Here you are, driving to work in your used car. You pass someone’s shiny new car. You do not need a new car. Your old car is working fine, and it is paid for. What are you going to say?—“Oh, the Lord is gonna bless me with a new car.” What makes you think that would be a blessing? You don’t need any new car. If you get one, you’re going to have to go into debt. You call that a blessing? God calls it a debt. The car you already have is good enough. Next time you go somewhere in it, take Jesus’ advice: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin
