We continue to learn more about the Enemies of the Heart, and this week as we journey into chapter 14, it gets direct. We discuss the camouflaged dysfunction of greed.  In the basics of the book, Andy Stanley shares some basics:

Guilt says “I owe you”; Anger says “You owe me”; Greed says “I owe me”.  Many don’t want to use the word greed, because they justify their challenges with thoughts of their motivation.  Guilt disguises itself as something healthy.

Have you ever thought of yourself as greedy? What is your definition or characterization of a greedy person?

More than money

In our American world, we tend to immediately think of greed as being associated with money, and most of the time we can just see it easier, but what about greed as possessions such as food? Or computer equipment. It does not have to be material things, but things that we believe we are entitled to. Things that reward us.

Entitlement – America

As children we were probably told we can do anything, that we can achieve anything if we try hard enough. We began to look sideways and compare ourselves to others. To see who had more or better things. It was a self-defined identity. We measured how we were doing by what we had.  If someone had better toys, better clothes, better sports equipment, better bikes, we had some decisions to make. We either worked harder to get better things, went into plea bargaining with those that could help us get more things, or we changed who we hung around with.  There is this inner desire to measure worth with possessions.

Jesus had some insight on greed.

Beware! Guard against every kind of greed.

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”  Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”  – Luke 12:15-21 NLT

Jesus tells us directly the simple through that our life is not defined by our possessions. It is a simple concept, but very difficult to keep in check. As confident Christian men, we know the basics, but easily fall into the trap of building store houses.

We get in a role to be a provider and to be wise. We grasp the concept illustrated in the Bible to prepare and not be caught off guard.  We want to prepare for retirement, we want to love and support those around us. Having good things is not always bad. And there lies the challenge with this particular enemy of the heart, greed.

Being greedy can easily hide itself as a virtue. People that are greedy are usually savers, and saving is a smart thing to do. We don’t want to be a burden. We want to have fun but not go into debt. We want to spend our money wisely, so some characteristics of greed, actually oppose what Jesus was talking about… or does it?

It is not in a Grinch or Scrooge mode that many of us struggle with, but maybe more in the parable of the farmer.  We get a couple extra bucks. Maybe a bigger tax return than expected, a bonus at work or maybe a gift of something from someone.

I know in my world, there is a quick belief of “it’s about time”, “lucky me”, “I’ve worked hard and finally, some recognition”.  Then the first thing I do is think what I can do to reward myself.  I don’t always immediately think. “We did it God! What are we going to do with this blessing”.  I get better with this challenge over time, but I do catch myself living in the mindset that “I owe me”.

When are you the most vulnerable of be greedy?  What are the triggers or conditions that make you more susceptible?

Isn’t it just the American way, more stuff. There has been a popular saying for decades now that said. He who dies with the most toys wins. Isn’t that something we can all relate to one way or another?

In the story of the rich ruler, he was justified in his thoughts to plan ahead, to be equipped, but how did Jesus respond to his justification? ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (v.20, 21)

The rich ruler was looking ahead to his future, but he limited to this physical world. We all have a future greater than this life. In this story we are to learn that no matter how much we plan and think we are in control, we are not. All of our hope and dependency and independence depends on God.  We may believe we are our own little “g” god by creating wealth, and maybe even physical condition, but we are still ultimately in the hands of God for our life.  We can be rich in this world and poor in the future. Our relationship with God is where our value is. Because in the end, we don’t take anything with us, but our relationship with God. If we were going to value and cherish anything, we should value and defend our relationship with God, because that is the only thing that is going to last.

Another powerful lesson from the bible on this topic is right in the middle of the parable of the sower:

“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” – Matthew 13:3-9 ESV

Do you see it there in the middle? It is almost camoflaged, to the point, we can almost ignore the warning… until we are choked…

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. – Matthew 13:22 NLT

It is the measure of fruitfulness that gives the awareness and health of our relationship with God. In the end the worries of this life and lure of wealth, devastate our eternal relationship with God.

So how do we keep our greed in check? What do we do to ensure we don’t get caught up in the briar?  Isn’t it crazy that when a robber confronts us with the decision… “your money or your life?” and we know the right answer, but when God asks the same question, we tend to justify a different response…

Next week we push into the remedy for greed, chapter 16, the power of generosity.

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