Beware of Greed!
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· 4 viewsGreed does not let us enjoy life and God's blessings.
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What are the most important things in your life? Family, life/soul, relationship with God, work, possessions/money, business, sports?
What would you be willing to give in exchange for it?
When Jesus told His disciples about going to Jerusalem to be killed and rising after three days, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. With strong words, Jesus told Peter “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interest, but man’s.”
Then, He summoned all the disciples and told them about taking up their cross and being willing to die for His sake and added the following words:
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? “For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36-37
There are two interesting verbs in that passage that will give us a clearer understanding of Jesus’ words in . Those verbs are “to gain” and “to forfeit” (perder).
Regarding the first one, “to gain”
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 57.189 κερδαίνω; ποιέω
κερδαίνωa; ποιέωh: to gain by means of one’s activity or investment
Regarding the second verb, “to forfeit” (perder)
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament ζημία, ζημιόω
ζημιόω “to set someone in a disadvantageous position,” “to do someone hurt;” ζημιόομαι pass. “to be set at a disadvantage
As the Master Teacher, Jesus took advantage a the situation presented to him, the dispute of two brothers for an inheritance, to give some warnings or lessons to His disciples. He told them the story of this man who forfeited his soul in exchange for possessions.
Read Luke 12:13-23
The first lesson was:
Greed is a dangerous enemy.
Greed is a dangerous enemy.
We must be always on guard.
We must be always on guard.
“Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed...” 15
Be alert, watch out, be vigilant, and do not let your guard down are the instructions of the trainer to the fighter. Because if you don’t, the opponent will knock you down.
Greed is the strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things that other people have, all irrespective of need. Greed is the twin sister of avarice.
“be on guard against every form of greed...”
Greed comes in three different main forms: desire for money or the things that money can buy, desire for position, and desire for power.
It robs your peace.
It robs your peace.
For more money, position, or power, people work endless hours, like crazy. They do not realize the harm they are doing to their mind and body.
Anxiety is one of the consequences! Anxiety is lack of mental peace.
“merimnao”, translated as worry, anxious (), and concern is defined as: “having an anxious concern, based on apprehension or fear about possible danger or misfortune”.
People suffer more for things that could happen than for those that really happen. They suffer more for the “what ifs” than maybe will never happen: What if I lose my job? What if I get sick? What if…?
That’s why Jesus instructed His disciples saying:
And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
luke 12 22
If God feeds the raven, He’ll feed you. If He clothes the lilies and the grass, He’ll cloth you too.
People suffer more for things that could happen than for those that happen.
That’s why Jesus instructed His disciples saying:
It harms you and others.
It harms you and others.
That extra effort or time you consumed trying to obtain more result in neglect of your health and neglect of your family. You never have enough time for them because your too busy chasing your dream (nightmare for them).
If we are willing to neglect one the most precious things God has given us, family; much more we will neglect friends and brothers in Christ.
I just posted a video on my Facebook page that I would like all my friends and relatives to watch. It is a Valedictorian speech given this year. Take the time to watch it!
The second lesson was that:
Life is more important than possessions.
Life is more important than possessions.
“Life does not consist of possessions.” 15b
The spiritual matters more than the material.
The spiritual matters more than the material.
When I said that life is more important than possessions, I am talking, first of all, of our spiritual life. When a person becomes greedy, the first thing that he neglect is his spiritual life. That’s why the wise writer tells us:
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Fear of the Lord is spiritual life! Many neglect it because they are busy pursuing their goal.
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than he who is crooked though he be rich.
Pro 15:16
A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding, But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
Walking in integrity is spiritual life!
Many are willing to lose or compromise their integrity in order to make some extra dollars.
And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.
luke 12 22
Real happiness does not depend on it.
Real happiness does not depend on it.
“For life is more than food...” 23a
Do you think that eating at a cache restaurant will satisfy you more than eating at a taco stand? Do you think that $30 taco plate is more delicious than three street tacos?
Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.
Pro 15:17
Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it Than a house full of feasting with strife.
“…and the body is more than clothing.” 23b
Brands do not make anyone happier.
Greedy people like to show off their wealth. How do they do it? By wearing designer’s clothing and accessories. Ah! the brand is important! “It must be Gucci, Coach, Prada, Dolce, Armani, etc.”
No! It is not the clothing, it’s the person!
Do you think that because you carry a $400 Louis Vuitton or Michael Kors handbag you’ll be happier than if you carry a $30 imitation? Don’t you think is better to carry the imitation with $370 cash in it than the $400 designer bag with nothing in it?
Brands do not make anyone happier or prettier either!
“Simplicity is the keynote of true elegance.” (Channel)
“Elegance does not consist on putting a new dress.” (Channel)
“Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.” (Channel)
The third lesson or warning is:
Do not take life for granted.
Do not take life for granted.
You are not in control of your years.
You are not in control of your years.
There’s nothing wrong with preparing for times of scarcity; the Bible itself instructs us to learn from the ant that prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.
The problem was that the man foolishly assumed that he was going to live many years. He said,
“Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come...” 19
Do you know how many years you will live? No! You are not in control of that! You may wish to live long, but even if you take care of your body, there is no guarantee.
Who is in control? God is in control! And he may take you at any moment! Pay attention to the words on verse 20a:
“But God (not the doctor, not the psychic) said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you;’”
Most people live to work and plan to enjoy life when they become old. They do not even know if they will get to old age.
If they get old, they might have the money, but no the strength.
You will not take anything.
You will not take anything.
Paraphrasing v. 20b: “You are leaving earth tonight and you will take nothing with you.”
Do ever forget that you will leave everything!
Illust. When I die, put all my money in my casket!
Illust. My bossed worked for me!
A stern warning: “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Are you being generous toward God? Toward others?
Let’s enjoy now what the Lord gives us! Spent time with your family! Travel now that you are still strong and able to produce money!
Enjoy life! Work to live, but do not live to work!
“Sell your possessions and give to charity...” 33 No thief can steal you money you have already given to others!
“Sell your possessions and give to charity...” 33
Do not be stingy, but generous! More money will not make you happier!