Bible Reading: Proverbs 30
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6
In one of Jesus’ parable, a man receives far more than he needs for his health and well-being. But instead of sharing his abundance with people who don’t have enough, he hoards the surplus and plans to take life easy for himself. He thinks only of himself and his own desires (Luke 12:16-21).
Greed always wants to gather more than is needed—and it refuses to share. The greedy man’s eyes are bigger than his stomach. Greed, says a Chinese proverb, is like a snake that wants to swallow an elephant. Greed’s motto is concise: “Never enough!” Bigger barns and garages and walk-in closets are just the beginning.
Death will stop greed in its path and expose its folly: more is not better. After all, you can not take it with you. Everything we have acquired on earth is useless to us after we are gone. It is better, says Jesus, to store up treasures that last, that death cannot swallow, that show wisdom toward God.
Greed is a problem of the “self,” of what “I” need for the good life. Dying to our “selves” through Jesus is the beginning of wisdom that knows the meaning of “enough.” Self-denial in Christ’s name leads to the truly good life. Daily surrender to the Lord and his Spirit builds up riches that last. These are riches that lead us to love God above all, and our neighbors as ourselves.
Prayer: In the name of Jesus, I declare that I have a giving and content heart. Help me Lord not to be greedy but to rely on you for what I need, and to share willingly in Jesus name, Amen!
Pastor Oladiran Oladipo