GREED is "NOT" GOOD

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Back in the mid-80’s an iconic film called WALL STREET was released. It was a tale of an ambitious stock trader who was lured in and eventually destroyed by the trappings of GREED.

GORDON GECKO was the antagonist in the film and Bud Fox was his naivebut “driven” protege’. The film was a study on the intoxicating effect of GREED. In fact, that film harbored one of the classic scenes of all time; the "GREED is GOOD" speech. I provided a little link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXpaBQnBvE

And as GORDON waxes eloquent he goes about blurring GREED with ambition and enthusiasm; making it seem as if GREED was a healthy emotion and a noble pursuit.

Yet as Pastor Mark and our Living Beyond Luck series points out, GREED is anything BUT good and it should never be misconstrued as zeal or passion. GREED is a dangerous drug that causes good people to go rouge and can make the most generous person stingy and protective. That is why Jesus warned of GREED.

Luke 12:15

Then Jesus said to them, “Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. People do not get life from the many things they own.”

Culture deceives us into thinking that the “one with the most toys when he dies wins.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Job understood this and offered this little insight.

Job 1:21

…“When I was born into this world, I was naked and had nothing. When I die and leave this world, I will be naked and have nothing. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.

The truth of the matter is GREED is NOT good.

GREED destroys. GREED separates. GREED kills.

Worse yet, GREED puts us on the “wrong side of GOD.” Don’t think so? Think again.

Psalm 10:3

For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.

That is why GOD calls each of us to instead be GIVERS, not GREEDY. GOD relishes and promotes the GIVER; making it clear that with GIVING comes amazing blessing; that by GIVING we truly “GET”.

Luke 6:38 ESV

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

So be on the lookout for GREED. It can sneak up on you. It will try to disguise itself as passion and fervor, but don't be duped.

GREED is dangerous, self-absorbing, is never satisfied and leads to all sorts of problems.

Proverbs 28:25

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

Proverbs 15:27

Greed brings grief to the whole family…

So let's give give up GREED and choose to be GIVERS instead!

Why?

Because...

2 Corinthians 9:7

…God loves a cheerful giver.

...and that is enough for me...!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney