Vices & Virtues: Greed
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Welcome! Im glad each of you are here!
Read Colossians 3:1-15
-This passage is beautiful because it implies how we should live and it implies there are ways we should not live.
-Paul reminds us that when we became believers, we died to our old selves and now have a new identity in Christ. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and we share in His resurrection glory.
-Paul goes on to provide practical guidance on how this transformation should affect our daily lives. He encourages us to put to death the sinful nature and to put on the virtues of Christ.
-we must be Putting Off the Old Self and let the old self die. We must rid ourselves of sinful behaviors like anger, malice, and deceit, greed, lust. These things are contrary to our new identity in Christ.
-we must be intentionally Putting On the New Self: Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
-This series is going to look at the vices that hold us down and hurt us and others. And how through Jesus we have the strength to overcome these vices and live out some of the virtues Paul talks about in Colossians 3.
Quick Reminder:
-a vice is a habitual and morally wrong behavior or pattern of thought that separates us from God's love and guidance.Vices are often characterized by their destructive nature, both in our relationship with God and in our interactions with others.
-Virtues are qualities of moral excellence that reflect God's character. They are cultivated through intentional practice and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Last week talked about the vice of anger and how that impacts us. I pray it was helpful for some and you were able to self evaluate some more this past week.
This weeks Vice is Greed
The Vice: The Destructive Power of Greed
I. What is Greed?
-Greed is a strong/insatiable desire for more, especially in terms of wealth, possessions, or power.
-Greed is often rooted in a fear of scarcity or a misguided pursuit of happiness.
-There are many warnings in the Bible about giving in to greed and longing for riches. Jesus warned, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal…
-You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:19, 24b). Did Jesus pursue the acquisition of money? No. On the contrary, He became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9) and had “no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).
-Neither did Jesus pursue power. Rather, He instructed, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:43–45).
-Greed and a desire for riches are traps that bring ruin and destruction. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” and for those of us in Christ we are warned, “Do not put your trust in wealth” (see 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17-18).
-Covetousness, or having an excessive or greedy desire for more, is idolatry.
-Ephesians 5:5 says, “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person – such a man is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
- The principle to remember is contained in Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
-You see Greed refuses to be satisfied. More often than not, the more we get, the more we want. Material possessions will not protect us—in this life or eternally.
-Jesus’ parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13–21 illustrates this point well. Again, money or wealth is not a problem.
-The problem is our attitude toward it. When we place our confidence in wealth or are consumed by an insatiable desire for more, we are failing to give God the glory and worship He deserves.
-We are to serve God, not waste our time trying to become rich (Proverbs 23:4). Our heart’s desire should be to store up riches in heaven and not worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. “But seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (see Matthew 6:25-34).
-I want to spend our time in Luke 12 today as we tackle greed.
The Context of Luke 12:
-Warning Against Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1-3): At the beginning of Luke 12, Jesus warns his disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the importance of living with integrity. He emphasizes that nothing hidden will remain hidden forever.
-Fear God, Not People (Luke 12:4-12): Jesus then instructs his followers not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear God, who has ultimate authority. He speaks about the value of confessing Him before others.
Read Luke 12:13-21
-In the opening verses, we encounter a man who approaches Jesus with a request: "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
-On the surface, it appears to be a simple plea for fairness, but Jesus uses this moment to address a deeper issue – the human heart's propensity to prioritize earthly possessions over spiritual matters. In response, Jesus warns against greed, saying, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness."
-The central message of this parable is that earthly riches are temporary and uncertain. The rich man's trust in his possessions proved to be misplaced, as his life ended unexpectedly. This reminds us that true security and fulfillment cannot be found in material wealth alone.
-This verse serves as a clear and direct message from Jesus, cautioning against the destructive nature of greed and emphasizing that life's true value is not measured by material wealth but by one's relationship with God and others. It underscores the broader theme of seeking God's kingdom and righteousness above all else, as discussed in the preceding verses.
-It is easy for us to fall into the trap of wanting more, whether it's more wealth, possessions, or recognition.
- the profound truth in this statement, that our true worth and purpose in life are not determined by our material possessions.
-Do Not Worry (Luke 12:22-34): Following the parable of the rich fool, Jesus teaches about the futility of worry and the need for trust in God's provision.A reminder greed can sometime be born out of a lack of trust and scarcity. He uses examples from nature to illustrate God's care for His creation and encourages his listeners not to be anxious about their material needs.
IV. The Consequences of Greed:
selfishness: Greed is inherently selfish. It can cause us to prioritize our own desires and wants over the needs of others, leading to a lack of empathy and compassion.
Covetousness: Greed can manifest as a strong desire to have what others possess, leading to envy and jealousy. This can result in a competitive mindset and a focus on comparison rather than contentment.
Hoarding: Greed may lead to hoarding behavior, where individuals accumulate more than they need and are unwilling to share or give to those in need.
Deceit and Dishonesty: In the pursuit of financial gain, greed can lead to deceitful and dishonest practices, including lying, cheating, or taking advantage of others.
Broken Relationships: Greed can strain or destroy relationships with loved ones, as it often leads to selfishness and a lack of empathy.
Emotional Toll: Constant desire for more can lead to stress, anxiety, and unhappiness.
Spiritual Impact: Greed can distance us from God and our spiritual path, as we may prioritize material pursuits over our spiritual growth.
Unwillingness to Give: Greed can make it difficult for individuals to be generous and give to charitable causes or help those in need, as it often promotes a mindset of self-preservation.
Lack of Contentment: Greed often leads to a lack of contentment with one's current circumstances. Instead of being grateful for what we have, we continually seek more and are never satisfied.
Disregard for Others: Greed can result in a disregard for the well-being of others, especially when it comes to issues of social justice and caring for the marginalized and vulnerable.
Loss of Perspective: In the grip of greed, individuals can lose perspective on life's true priorities, forgetting the importance of love, relationships, and spiritual growth.
Financial Irresponsibility: Greed can lead to financial irresponsibility, including overspending, excessive debt, and a failure to save for the future.
Virtues to combat greed:
1.Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude for what you have.
III. Gratitude: Counting Our Blessings:
Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and appreciating the blessings in our lives, no matter how small.1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
-gratitude serves as a powerful antidote to greed:
-Shift of Focus: Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, helping us appreciate the abundance in our lives.Contentment: Grateful individuals are more likely to find contentment in the present moment, reducing the need for constant accumulation.Generosity: Gratitude often leads to a desire to share our blessings with others, promoting acts of kindness and generosity.
VI. Cultivating Gratitude:
Keeping a gratitude journal to record daily blessings. Making a conscious effort to express thanks to God in prayer.Engaging in acts of kindness and generosity toward others.
Generosity: Practice generosity by giving to others and those in need.
- generosity is the selfless act of giving, sharing, or helping others without expecting anything in return.
-Paul says 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 “The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”
generosity serves as a powerful weapon against greed:
Shift of Focus: Generosity redirects our focus from self-centered desires to the needs of others.
Contentment: Generous individuals often find contentment in giving and making a positive impact on others' lives.
Spiritual Growth: Generosity fosters spiritual growth by encouraging compassion, empathy, and a deeper connection to God.
-Cultivating Generosity:
Identify opportunities to give back to your community or support charitable organizations.Develop a habit of sharing your time, talents, and resources with those in need.Foster a mindset of abundance and gratitude for what you have, leading to a more generous spirit.
-The Joy of Generosity:
The satisfaction of making a positive impact on others' lives.The sense of purpose and meaning that generosity brings.The strengthening of relationships and the building of a more compassionate and caring community.
Contentment: Find contentment in simplicity and non-material aspects of life.
-contentment is a state of being satisfied with what one has, regardless of external circumstances.
In Philippians 4:11–12 “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.”
IV. Contentment as a Weapon Against Greed:
-Contentment redirects our focus from what we lack to what we already have, helping us appreciate the abundance in our lives.
-Simplicity: Content individuals often lead simpler lives, reducing the need for constant accumulation of possessions.
-Generosity: Contentment often leads to a desire to share our blessings with others, promoting acts of kindness and generosity.
-Practicing gratitude and regularly counting one's blessings.Embracing minimalism and decluttering one's life.Engaging in acts of kindness and generosity toward others.Seeking contentment in non-material aspects of life, such as relationships, purpose, and spirituality.
Week 2:
1.Write a lament about how greed has impacted you.
2.Share your lament (if you are willing) , how has greed impacted you?
3.How can you work on having the virtues of gratitude, generosity, and contentment?