GREED

Luke 12:16-21 Jesus told them a parable, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 and he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do because I have no room where to store my fruits?  18 And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and there will I store all my fruits and goods.  19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast many goods laid up for many years: take it easy, eat, drink, and be merry.  20 But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

Greed can drive us to become workaholics; which keeps us running at a dollar because enough is never enough.  Instead of giving our overflow to others in need; we work harder to keep it,   and then we die and leave it all.  Right now most of us have more clothes and shoes than we will ever wear; we have no place to put anything else, yet we continue to buy more. Some of us have lovely homes; but soon as we get “Two dollars we buy a bigger home”, instead of fixing up the house we have.  

 We all have debt; because we chase after worldly things, instead of chasing after the Spiritual things. Then we have to work harder to maintain material things; so we are always busy, and life passes us by.   “The rich man was so busy building bigger barns; to hold his earthly wealth, he did not take time to build his Spiritual wealth.”  The desire to be earthly rich; separates us from God, because He is not of the world.  No matter how much earthly wealth we accumulate; it does not bring us happiness, and some people say” money brings more Grief.”  God wants us to slow down and see the needs of others; so we can bless them, as He has blessed us. Our blessings are not for us to keep; they are for us to bless others, so they can see God’s, light through us.

Lord, let not greed inspire Your people; but kindness, goodness, and most of all Love.  Father, give us patience so we will not walk ahead of You, out of Your protection and Your will.  Lord, slow us down so we can see Your grace and the need of Your people.  Lord, help us understand that we own nothing; and we cannot take anything with us.  Lord, help us be more concerned about our Spirits; which will live on, than our earthly wealth that will pass away.  Father, let us bless someone today that needs Your grace; whether it’s a family member, friend, or enemy.  Lord, we thank You, for dying naked on the cross; so we could be clothed in grace.  We thank You Father for mercy and favor; we thank You for guidance and protection, and we thank You for peace.  Amen