Text: Luke 12:13-21
Memory verse:
”He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

One of the German words for greed is ‘die’. It illustrates the danger inherent in what looks so attractive. It’s like a man who, in order to quench his thirst, takes a drink of salt water, which happens to be the only water that is available. This makes him to still be more thirsty. So he drinks again and again until his thirst kills him. This is what Solomon, who is believed to be the richest man that ever lived, said, “If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn’t make a bit of sense.“ ‭‭(Eccl‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬ ‭CEV‬‬). The Greek word for greed means: the thirst for having more, always having more and more and still more.
Life is not about what a person has but who he is. We may have a poor soul in the midst of a great fortune and a rich soul in the midst of a great poverty. Such were the Macedonian believers (2 Cor 8:1-2) and Paul, ”…as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.“ ‭‭(II Cor‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬). A man’s “life” is what would be left of him if everything he has were stripped off. His real ‘worth’ is his character, as it appears in God’s sight.
In Luke 12:15, the two words used describe the subtle nature of greed – “Beware and guard”. The KJV used ‘take heed and beware’ and GNT says “Watch and guard”. Greed can sneak into the heart if one is not constantly on the lookout. We need to recognize it and stop it. Paul called it a temptation and a trap (1 Tim 6:9).
Greed will make a person throw away all godly characters and reject his conscience in the pursuit of material gain. We must not see greed as an issue of amount but of attitude. Both the poorest and the richest can be greedy.
Friends, how do you know if greed has crept into your heart? Do you cheat, lie, or steal to have financial gain or just to avoid a loss? Do you enjoy material things more than knowing God? Do you get so excited when you get a new car, a new house, or receive a visa but get bored by the things of God or dose when you hear about a soul being saved? What would you do if you suddenly had an unexpected financial breakthrough or received a huge financial gift? Will you first consider buying another car, a new electronic, or just another thing, or will you consider sowing towards God’s kingdom? Do you give excuses for not giving your tithe or being part of a kingdom project? Will you forsake God or His church for the loss of earthly possessions?

Prayer points
1. Father, help me to always watch and guard my heart from the sins of greed in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, search me and see if there are traces of greed in my heart, and please, flush them out in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I know that greed is a subtle enemy, and therefore, I watch and guard my heart against it.
2. I won’t throw away my character, lie, or cheat to get any financial gain nor to prevent the loss of it

Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng