(1 Timothy 6:6-12)
“Now godliness with contentment is great
gain. 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we
can carry nothing out. 8. And having food and clothing, with these we
shall be content. 9. But those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which
drown men in destruction and perdition. 10. For the love of money is a
root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith
in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12. Fight the good fight
of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and
confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Greed: Def.—To covet, Exodus 20:17, “You shall not covet…” To reach for, to desire,
for, To strive for that which usurps the place only God deserves,
(knowing
or unknowing.)
1. The Root of Greed: Greed is human desire gone awry.
(Col.
3:5)—“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which
is idolatry.”
a. Greed is Common
1) Greed has noting to do with what you know
Matt. 23:25—Jesus said, “You Pharisees and teachers are show-offs, and
you’re in for trouble! You wash the outside of your cups and
dishes, while inside there is nothing but greed and selfishness.”
2) Greed has noting to do with what you own
Ecc. 5:10,14-15—“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;
Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is
vanity.” 14-15 But those riches perish through misfortune…As he
came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return…And he shall take
nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.”
b. Greed is Compulsive
c. Greed is Cunning
Luke 12:13-15—Someone said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to give
me my share of my father’s inheritance.” Jesus said to him, “Who
appointed me to be your judge or to divide your inheritance?” He
told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of
greed. Life isn’t about having a lot of material possessions.”
2. The Reality of Greed -- Greed corrupts thinking
(Matt.
6:19)—“Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and
rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your
treasure is, there your heart will also be.”
a. We forget Things are Temporary
b. We forget Things are Temperamental—Greed breeds conflict
c. We forget Things are Truth-Telling
3. The Source of Greed
(Mark
7:21,22) Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness…”
(Ezek. 33:31) Ezekiel cried out, “…with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness”
The heart of the problem is the human heart!
4. The Sorrow of Greed
(1
Tim. 6:10) “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, for
which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows.”
5. The Remedy of Greed
a.
Cultivate Gratitude—(1 Thess. 5:16-18) “Be joyful always; pray
continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
b.
Cultivate Generosity—(1 Tim.6; 18-19) “Tell them to do good, to do a
lot of good things, to be generous, and to share.
c.
Cultivate Gladness—(Phil. 4:11-13) “…for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and
I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content…I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
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