What Jesus said about ... greed.
Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:25
Oh dear ... how relevant is this to today's society I wonder.
We live in a generation greedy for everything; fun, entertainment, happiness, riches, possessions, good looks, fame, celebrity and everything else besides. They want it all and want it now. It's as if it is a birthright that everyone should have plenty with the minimum of effort.
We measure peoples' success in life by the kind of job they have. The size of their house and where it's located. Their cars, their holidays abroad, and other possession like jewellery, designer clothing and so on and so forth.
Greed is certainly not a new phenomenon. It always existed. But I guess it is more noticeable now with communications being so much more available through TV, radio and social media on the Internet. We see other peoples' haves and we want them also.
We all want to be successful, rich and a celebrity idol loved by everyone - it seems. Very few are just happy with what they've got. And they certainly seem to ignore the most precious treasures they have ... like their health, their families, their real friends ... until it's too late. And greed consumes all. Even their faith.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
NOTE: This post is part of a series of articles entitled "What Jesus said about ..." If you click the label "What Jesus said" at the end of the article you'll be able to access all the articles.
ReplyDeleteHi Victor, I am very happy with what I have and have had in my life, and I would not want more. Riches mean nothing if happiness does not go with it. I have had a lovely marriage and have been to many places in the world. Having the Lord in my life has been wonderful, and I could not imagine life without Him. God bless.
ReplyDeleteAmen Brenda. Not many people are satisfied these days. They always seem to want more.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
...greed has overtaken much of society.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it has, Tom. God bless.
DeleteWe are liking and appreciate this series. Thanks to our raising, greed hasn't been the BIG temptation, but even so. It was still tempting, but not enough to drown us. But with this youdid describe life today WELL:
ReplyDelete.........entertainment, happiness, riches, possessions, good looks, fame, celebrity and everything else besides. They want it all and want it now.
Sending the best of thoughts your way, with love.
The thing is, Jack, our generation was brought up to be thankful for what we have. We did not have much, but it was enough to be content with and we were not short of anything. I never went to bed hungry.
DeleteToday's generation is different - entitled, they believe it will all fall in their lap. Recently they interviewed youngsters on TV. This 19 years old wanted it to be rich, to have a large home,. luxury cars, a yacht and to marry a millionaire. Others were just as starry eyed and expected it all.
God bless you and Sherry and thank you for your kind words.
Wanting more and more "things" will never satisfy us, Victor. Only God can rescue us from that greed cycle we can all too easily find ourselves in. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe people want more and more because they want to fill the vacuum in their life now that they have excluded God.
DeleteGod bless, Martha.
I am blessed because I am okay where I am. I am not rich, but I am not poor either. It's funny, because when I was younger, I was from a wealthier family. Now I'm not and I probably am happier. I unfortunately see that this new world is not so much like that.
ReplyDeleteThe new generation we see these days seems obsessed with "status"; jobs, good looks, fashion, gadgets and all the glitter which suggests (to them) success. Gone are the days of contentment with what we've got.
Delete"When you go measuring someone's success; don't count money, count happiness" - Ken Dodd.
God bless, Chatty Crone.
Greed is evident everywhere. Will it ever end, probably not. :(
ReplyDeleteSad really, the state of the world today.
DeleteGod bless, Bill.
After having had to empty out the house of my in-laws after their deaths, help with the disposal of my late mother's things, and those of my late husband, I have concluded that stuff often becomes more of a burden than a blessing. It needs to be stored in specific ways, kept clean and/or useful, and often eventually becomes outdated and not useful any more. Even the most treasured of possessions can change in their value to us when the relationships tied to them change, die, or vanish.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying this series of yours, Victor, and thank you for sharing your insights.
Thank you Barbara. What you say makes great sense. I am glad you are enjoying this series. Please invite your friends here. And let me know if you'd like any topics discussed. My office address is at the "Contact us" label at the top right of this page.
DeleteGod bless.
I'm so glad to have finally outgrown my earthly greedy desires. In my present circumstances I have far less, yet I'm more content. Grateful, too.
ReplyDeleteI pray that everyone arrives at this realization before it's too late.
That's the ideal state, Mevely; to be content. To be satisfied with what we have. To "realise" that what we have is a gift from God; whether it is good health, relationships, or possessions. And to be grateful for what He has bestowed on us.
DeleteMany people these days, I feel, have missed this point.
God bless you and yours.
I happy to say I'm very content with what I have. I feel very blessed.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you always, K.
DeleteI would not want to be a celebrity and while we're not rich by this country's standard, we are compared to the rest of the world. We try to be glad for what we have and share with those who don't have as much.
ReplyDelete"We try to be glad for what we have and share with those who don't have as much." Well said, Mimi. God Bless.
DeleteI've never been tempted by it, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, CM.
DeleteI’m happy and content thanks to my Heavenly Father.
ReplyDeleteAmen Debby. Well said.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.