Beware of Greed

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (KJV)

Beware of Greed – It will Kill your Witness!

The human appetite for comfort, wealth, and security can infect each of us with the slightest hint of success. The world we live in feeds on success at any cost. “It’s okay just don’t get caught!” is the driving philosophy today.  We see this clearly in every strata of our culture – From the games we play all the way through the highest levels of government – Has it also pierced the hearts of the church?

That question is not in any way suggesting Christians should live a life of poverty. Neither is it suggesting Christians should live in the lap of luxury. The gift of life we have been given is not defined, nor is it restrained by our net worth. If we are faithfully serving God, He will supply whatever we need. Christians are caretakers of the blessings we have been given. In the story of the unfaithful steward Jesus gives us strange instructions. Look at Luke chapter 16 verse 9.   

Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations…

            Can our Lord and Savior really be telling us, “Expect to fail and make sure you have plenty of corrupt friends to take care of you through eternity?” – WHAT that can’t be right!

            The story is about trust and integrity. God has given us a task, and all the tools as well as the resources to accomplish it. Continue reading verses 10 and 11.

Luke 16:10-11 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

            The TRUTH of God’s Word, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the transformation of souls, these are the true riches. God is the Only One able to in trust them to us. Our integrity, honesty, and faithfulness as we “the priesthood of all believers” care for what belongs to Him will secure His promises for us. Consider verse 12 from Luke 16.

Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (KJV)

            None of us is immune to the influence of temptation. Satan is still looking for those he can devour. The devil delights in spoiling the testimonies of Christians. He will use whatever means is available to him.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)

            We can only protect ourselves by reflecting the nature of Christ. Finding brothers and sisters in Christ who will ask us the difficult questions of accountability and not accept trite, self-serving answers. We must not open ourselves up to false praise, or the vain philosophies of the world around us. We are complete in Christ – He is all we need.

Colossians 2:6-10 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV)