When we think of greed, it always seems to us that it is something that happens to others, not to us. The RAE dictionary defines it as “excessive desire for wealth.” However, greed is not just a matter of money or wealth. Although greed can lead one to seek material wealth and possessions as the main objective, it is also an attitude that can carry with it diverse behaviors. We can define greed is a burning and deep desire for something, which generates a willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve it.
GREED IS A CANCER OF IRREMEDIABLE CONSEQUENCES
Greed like a cancer can grow within us without us realizing it, and when it is too late (like cancer) to have disastrous consequences. In fact, if we ask anyone if they are greedy, they will answer no, because just like a cancer works in silence, greed too.
The Word tells us how greed can bring these fatal consequences:
- Becoming poor: “The miser is in a hurry to get rich and does not know that loss is sure to come“ Proverbs 28:22. There are many cases that we greedily get into unpayable loans for trying to have a higher standard of living than our income, or for making bad investments or businesses that we believe will be of rapid success.
- Taking life away: “Such is the end of all who are greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.“ Proverbs 1:19 Large numbers of people fall for drug trafficking out of greed. The result is terrible, a large part of these people end up killed by drugs or killed by drug trafficking networks and, better still, in prison.
- Losing our family and going to jail: “Those who are greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households, but those who hate bribes will live.” Proverbs 15:27 There are numerous cases of people with studies and great economic position that out of greed falls into bribes and influence peddling in order to have more money although their position already has good soils. The consequences are dire, they go to jail and lose or leave their families.
GREED GENERATES A FALSE SENSATION OF SECURITY
Unfortunately, the more money a person makes, the more likely they are to become arrogant. You start to think that you can pamper yourself more and more. You start to spend more on superfluous things and take more risks in your business and investments. And when it falls, its fall is very hard.
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke to a rich, young and greedy person and left us this teaching in the Gospel of Luke 18:24:
“Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
It does not mean that God cannot give us riches, or that the rich cannot save themselves, but that if this wealth is accompanied by greed “they will hardly” succeed.
In the Old Testament it explains to us very well how greed separates us from God and therefore if we do not recognize Him and our hearts are proud we will separate ourselves from Him.
“Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied, then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,” Deuteronomy 8: 11-14
The person who begins to acquire wealth (money, property, companies …) in many cases, if he does not recognize God in said blessing will begin to trust in the wealth and not in God.
“The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall.“ Proverbs 18:11
“Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.“ Proverbs 11:28
“As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17
HOW TO OVERCOME GREED?
- Focus on humility, not vanity. “Some pretend to be rich, yet have nothing; others pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth. ” Proverbs 13:7 There are things that catch my attention, as archimillionaires live as if they were poor. Warrent Buffet has a normal car from 20 years ago. Amancio Ortega the owner of Zara dresses and wears very normal clothes. Both people are on the list of the 20 richest people in the world. However, there are a huge number of people who wear, wear, and drive expensive items to try to pretend to be rich, and truly have nothing.
- Focus on giving generously to those who need it. “All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.” Proverbs 21:26
- Stop looking for wealth. In Proverbs 23: 7, Solomon tells us, “For what is your thought in your heart, so is he.” If our thoughts and emotions are focused on our work, business, the stock market and on getting rich, our greed-infected end will end. Instead, let your thoughts focus on achievement and generously meeting the needs of others. “The faithful will abound with blessings, but one who is in a hurry to be rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20
- Collaborate with your church on its needs. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Malachi 3:10
CONCLUSION
Take an examination of conscience and think about the characters that identify you as a person. If you recognize that you are a slave to wealth, materialism or greed and you want to change your life, we invite you:
- If you do not know the Word of God, and you have not given your life to Christ, we invite you to receive it into your heart and look for a Christian place where you can gather and know the Word of God that will set you free. Visit our KNOW CHRIST page.
- If you are a brother and still have ties to sin, remember that prayer and fasting are necessary. Confess your weakness with the Pastor of your Church so that he can guide you in all this process and remove from your life everything that may induce you to do so. Jesus Christ is freedom.
