Greed

Pro:1:19

Such is the fate of all who is greedy for money

It robs them of life.

If you set an ambush for yourself in order to get yourself killed, what would the world call you? Fool. You are trying to fool yourself. This is exactly what a greedy person is described as.

A person greedy for money has only one agenda in life. To make more money. And that robs him of his life. He forgets to enjoy life. He forgets to find a purpose for his life, apart from this. He is unable to live that abundant life that he is supposed to be living. That which was gifted to him.

John D. Rockfeller (of the Rockfeller foundation), one of the richest men America has seen was asked one day by an interviewer. "How much money should a man need to be happy?"

He answered, "A little more."

This comes from not an ordinary man, but the one who owned 90% of all oil, including kerosene and petroleum in the US at his peak in 1900.

Reson for greed is self love, which says, I want more. And pride, which says, I deserve more.

Contentment is the solution for greed. And that comes from humility. Simplicity is the key to it. Trusting not in things that vanish, but in the Eternal Triune God. Find happiness in giving. Find ways to accommodate others. Live a God centred and God oriented life. That will enable you to live a life, free of greed. Do not rob yourself of the life that is meant to be lived - a full life, designed by the Almighty. Don't be a fool.

Image credit: https://fhctoday.com/27470/uncategorized/greed-being-a-disease/

Comments

Work hard, rather than hardly work

If a man will not work; he shall not eat. 2Thess:3:10 Work hard. Whatever is entrusted to you. Be it physical labour or be it a white collar job sitting in the AC. Be it studying or be it organising things. Be it a small thing that you take up or a bread winning job. Be genuine and hard working. An idle man is not deserving of any wages. An idle man is complacent and proud. An idle man is discontented and dissatisfied. Where as a hard working man is grateful for what he has got. He knows that he has got in his plate is not something he deserves. Let money not be the motivation factor too, for working hard. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. So wash your plates genuinely. When you clean the table and set near your room, let God's name be glorified. As unto the Lord, may you do it. When you treat a patient or build a house or develop a programme or play the fiddle, let it be genuine, let it bring a smile on Jesus' face, let it bring glory to the Father. Not ...

Myths, endless genealogies and meaningless talk

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 1Tim:1:6 About false teachers - who want to be teachers of the law but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm (v:7). Equally true for the common man like me - a warning that God endorses, not to be involved in myths (v:3), endless genealogies (v:3) and meaningless talk (v:6). Guard your tongue. Interestingly in James where it talks about taming the tongue, the instruction is again to the teachers, that they would be judged more strictly. Why these unnecessary gossip? A gossip is always a gossip; no matter how hilarious it sounds, no matter how informative it looks. Why indulge in meaningless conversations? Let your words be filled with grace, bringing glory to the Almighty. Let it reflect His character. Let it be a source of encouragement to a wandering one who will be plucked out of the very gates of hell. Let it be a signpost for a backsliding one. Let it be filled ...

A quiet life

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. 1Thess:4:11 Being ambitious is to do something great in life. To do magnificent things. To achieve great goals. Paul's brotherly advise is to lead a quiet life and be ambitious to lead a quiet life. Doing great things will actually bring up the pride scale. If God brings it to your way, well and good. But desirous of being someone great in the world is a little bit dangerous. Be careful. Small is good. Little is good. Better a little with the fear of the Lord Thanq great wealth with turmoil. Pro:15:16. Image credit: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/nature-window?page=95

Godliness

Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1Tim:4:8 Godliness is God orientedness. It is bringing God in every equation. It is trusting in God in every situation. That is the real fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. That will bring promise both for the present life and for the life to come. It makes life simpler. In the middle of tumultuous waves, it brings peace. For the creator, sustainer God is with you in the boat, then why worry! God is with you, is the greatest promise you can have. Are you with God?

Contentment

But Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Tim:6:6 Contentment is being happy with what you have. Contentment is the opposite to greed; covetousness; dissatisfaction; wanting for more. Godliness coupled with contentment is great gain. A surity that God would provide for all my needs. An assurance that God would supply all my needs according to His riches and glory. That He is Jehovah Jireh and I need not worry about my needs. He will take care. This will also help you to give. Like the widow who put the two copper coins which is all that she had. Knowing fully that her God would provide. Cheerfully we can give. Whether in surplous or in nothingness. Knowing for sure that God loves a cheerful giver, we can give happily. Knowing for sure that He would give back, in good measure, pressed down, shaken together. And finally you will be free from greed. It starts well - planning, money orientedness, ultimately leading to compromising on many important things just t...

Never tire

And as for you, brothers never tire of doing what is right. 2Thess:3:13 Doing right might cost you. Might bring you loss. But never compromise. The Lord loves righteousness. And this is how we show our love to this righteous God. To pursue righteousness. Even in the smallest way. It might look infinitesimal. Especially in comparison to the consequence otherwise. You might lose your job. You might lose your precious relations. Your good will amongst your friend circle might be tarnished. But still never tire of doing what is right. Pursue righteousness.

God

1Tim:1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen. Eternal. Not created. The Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. Who exists from time immemorial to time endless. Immortal. No death. Nor does He succumb to decay. Not defined by rules of the end. Who exists beyond. Invisible. Not the age old concept of God is there in everything. Not even the unseen guest of our home. But the omnipresent. He is the Only God. To Him be the honour and glory forever and ever.

The halfbaked Bard

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