KJV (King James Version): “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (2) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, & sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Greed is selfish desire beyond reason.
1Timothy 6:9 – “But they that WILL BE RICH fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, (desires), which have drown in destruction and perdition. (10.) FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL, which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Giving is more than money, we can give honor? We can give love? We can give our talents? We can give time? My prayer is Lord make me an instrument of giving! May I give peace where there is strife? May I give love where there is hatred? May I pardon others where I am hurt and injured? May I give faith where others are drowning in doubt and worry? May I give hope where there is despair? May I give light where there is darkness? May I give joy where all seem sad? We sometimes fail to realize that God has given us many things to give. Yet we hoard those things for ourselves.
Many of us are just like monkeys in the wild. One of the ways they capture monkeys out of the wild is by putting a few peanuts in a heavy jar. The heavy jar has a small neck opening. The opening is just big enough for the monkey to place his opened hand into the jar. The monkey will close his hand around the peanuts, when he makes a fist he is trapped. The monkey will not open his hand to let the peanuts go, and he will spend his life in a cage, all because he will not let go of a few peanuts? How sad? What is it that you would rather hold on to and stay in bondage rather than letting go of and being free.
In 2nd Chronicles 10:16-19 – The third and last king of United Israel Rehoboam, lost almost everything, trying to have it all. He was motivated by greed and power. He didn’t need more money or more power because he had inherited the richest kingdoms in the world. Those who insist on having it all often wind up with little or nothing. MONEY IS JUST A TOOL MAN USES. MANY THINK MONEY IS THE ANSWER FOR ALL QUESTIONS, NOT SO! Someone once told me money and things won’t love you back when you need it.
A Sunday School teacher taught a lesson that no one in the class would learn for years. The teacher said, "What is better than a whole candy bar?" No one could imagine? What? The teacher said, "A half of a candy bar and a brother to share the other half with... many laughed and said sure. But as we grow older we often realize money means nothing without the people we love to share it with. Some of the most miserable people in the world are those who have lots of money and things but they don’t have a real relationship with Christ. Malachi 3:8 -9 says "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But you say, where with have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse." Don’t be so greedy that you take for yourself what belongs to God. Lay aside the weight of greed.
No comments:
Post a Comment