19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mathew 6.19)
There is a no difference between capitalism, the free market economy, and greed. Capitalism is opposite of religious values and their god is money. Free market economy is an economy license by government to act whatever it can to bring in money .Greed is the primary driver unbridled by any controlling ethical or moral considerations of both capitalism and free market economy.
When people and companies and countries take capitalism to the extreme people and businesses lose focus of what is really important and long-lasting and care about profit and making more and more money in immediate future, but it ultimately kills in the long run. Who cares about the long term after all it is all about me and my few millions.
Who preaches humility any more? How about sacrificial giving? How about storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth where moths and rust destroy…? Many churches today preaches Five Steps to Financial Freedom, How to Have a Successful Life, Living the Better Life etc and etc. I must admit my church did the same and I feel blessed after each sermon but if I am not careful with the application what the church teaches I myself will be trap by the greed mentality. The gist of these sermons is that as a child of God, you are blessed beyond measure through God’s way. They are all worldly material blessings and bible didn’t said you will be bless material blessing at all. Christians are blessed with all spiritual blessings, according to Ephesians 1:3
Why would we need to be greedy? If we had faith in the provision of God for our daily bread, then why would we want to be greedy? If we trust God for our provision and submit to His providential care and love, then we would know that He cares for us and provides for us. Somehow these question seems so simple but not easily answerable. All this questions leads up to what do you as individual wants.
If I may put up another angle for you let me describe what greed in my own context. Greed is manifested itself in selfishness and by nature is self-centered. Greed cannot be contracted out of thin air like flu but is birth out in and through people. Greed can be disguised by good nature of a person sub consciously without knowing it. If you are not careful greed can be taken to a higher extreme. Greed is idolatry if you ignorance of Gods provisions in your life and you fashion your life slogan “the way it is”.
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
So how can we practically solve this greed problem? I think you have to ask yourself are you ready to initiate a new life? Well, i believe in practical steps through the teaching of Bible.
Firstly, we first must look at where greed birth from. As I touch earlier greed comes from in and through you. It is practical that you have to build a new nature in life no longer self centered, selfishness or focus on me, I, mine. Allow the word of God pierce through your nature through the working of the Holy Spirit. God’s Word brings revival, God’s teach the things of truth , and live a Biblical life as far as one can. In due time God mortifying the sins in your life through the Spirit working through the Word. I know it sounds simple but in reality it is not. If you don’t try it you wouldn’t know the end of it.
Secondly, we need to be humble and humility to our way of life. I don’t ask Christians to live in poverty voluntarily, but we need to be able to help those in need, especially within our own local congregation, and live a life that reflects the values of our Lord God and not those of the world. Good Christian characteristics build up the life of an individual. Life of an individual reflects the blessing and works of God.
Thirdly, learn to uphold your believe through executing Christians values in your career, places of business or even in with your neighbour. Your thoughts and decisions epitomize the strength of God in you. If you allow greed to seep through your cracks in life in due time you will be broken up.Uphold your values and God will mend all the cracks in your life.
I know it is not an easy subject for all to swallow. I myself must admit i am too see myself struggling to follow the steps i thing a christian should take. Nevertheless, i must strive my first steps to become new nature and hope God and Holy Spirit will guide me.
Money is important but too much money is the root of all kinds of evil enslaving on our lives. Christ never promised it would be easy, but he did promise never to leave us or forsake us, and that he would be with always, to the very end of the age.
God Bless
No comments:
Post a Comment