“Overcoming Greed!”(Lk.12:13-21).
Jesus was teaching when someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus told the man that he was not an appointed judge or arbiter between the siblings.
In his usual way Jesus seized the opportunity to teach a lesson on greed. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not depend on the abundance of his possessions…” Those who store up things for themselves but are not rich toward God may just be gathering those things for someone else.
I am reminded of the story of a wealthy person, who despite his riches would not pay his driver a good salary. Most times the salary was overdue before he paid it. This man died. His widow fell in love with the driver and they got married. The man’s wealth now belonged to the driver. The driver said to himself that he used to think that he was slaving for his master, little did he know that it was his master slaving for him.
Jesus warns us to watch out against all kinds of greed. Greed is defined as “an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.” Selfish is “…lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.”
This to say greed is egoistic, that is “being centered in or preoccupied with oneself and the gratification of one’s own desires; self-centered.”
Ego brings out all the greed in all of us. If we can suppress our egos, we can be able to overcome our greeds. One author has suggested 15 ways to develop generosity as a means of overcoming greed.
In summary they are:
- Give to others with the intention to bless them, rather than to be blessed.
- Remember those who have been generous to you when you were in need.
- Remember those who did not help you when you were in need. You know how it feels to be in need, so allow God to use you to help those in same situation.
- Do not live only for yourself. You are God’s hands and feet to reach out to others. Be a contributor to change to make this world a better place.
- Think about your loved ones who might be needing others’ help.
- Know that once you die you have no control over all your wealth.
- Develop compassion for others.
- You are blessed to be a blessing.
- Give back to God by giving to others.
- Recognize that no condition is permanent. The stop point of the rotating wheel of life is temporary. Sometimes it lifts you from grass to grace and sometimes it rotates from grace to disgrace. Be kind and generous to everyone around you.
- Experience the joy of being able to help or bless others. Helping those in need gives you a greater sense of purpose.
- Do not just pray for others. Realise that you could be the answer to their prayers.
- Be thankful to God for the blessings you have received from him. Work hard to achieve your dreams and guard your heart against greed.
- Focus your mind on more valuable things in life than money and possessions. Love is more than any treasure.
- Love your neighbour as yourself becsuse to overcome greed you need to learn to love other people genuinely.
Learn to be generous, no matter how little the amount.
Above all my friend, learn to be rich toward God.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ walk with me and show me how to overcome my greed and be rich toward God. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.