Jesus warns in Luke 12:15, “Be on your guard against every form of greed”

What is greed? One dictionary definition is “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed”

I think the key words in the definition are “selfish and excessive” When we always focus on what we have and worry excessively about losing it, or diluting it by giving some away, whether it be our money, our time, “our” parking place, “our” position in the line, we are giving in to greed.

To guard against greed, I like to remember this part of a well known hymn, “All that we have is thine alone, a trust O Lord from Thee.”

Dear Lord, help us remember that you gave us everything we have, and your desire is that we use it to love and serve you and our neighbor. Help us always keep this in our minds. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In 2 Timothy, Paul is writing to Timothy from being imprisoned by the Roman Emperor Nero. He was quite sure he was not ever going to be free again, and was giving Timothy guidance on continuing his mission.

In 2 Timothy 4:3,4, he tells Timothy, “For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says, but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas.”

I think if you look around at events in our present day, Paul’s words could easily apply to modern times.

In verse 5 he tells Timothy what to do. “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

This guidance applies to us as well as it did to Timothy. We need to stand steady and not be afraid of suffering for the Lord. For us, that suffering is not imprisonment or torture, it is likely to only be the “embarrassment” of believing in Biblical teaching, Christian values, and living them.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the words of Paul, encouraging us to hold to your values and beliefs. Help us stand steady, fearless in our faithful Christian lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

It is interesting to look at different Bible translations of verses, to help bring out the meaning of the text.

I found that the God’s Word translation of Proverbs 14:14 brings relevance to what is a somewhat “matter of fact” verse in other translations. It says:

“A heart that turns from God becomes bored with its own ways, but a good person is satisfied with God’s ways.”

Isn’t it common to see someone searching for their way in life and rather than turning toward God, they turn away looking for life satisfaction in many things, only to be left feeling incomplete. In contrast, when we turn toward God looking for his will and ways and following, we find peace.

Dear Lord, as you said, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, help us turn toward you for fulfillment in life, and you will guide our steps. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Question one: What did you do to become a child of your parents? Nothing, It was what they did that made you their child.

In the same way, It is what God has done that makes us his children. Romans 8:15 writes, “… you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.”

People can, and many do, reject God’s invitation to be his children, but as John 1:12 writes, “to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Question two: What do you do to please your parent or parents? You listen to their direction, learn and follow. You treat them with respect. You make them proud by your behavior.

Is it any different with God? God is pleased with us when we have faith in him and his teaching, and live lives that glorify him; Loving him and loving each other. When we don’t, we cannot expect that God is happy with us.

Romans 8:8 says, “That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”
Hebrews 10:38 says, “And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

Dear Lord, It is your will that all would come to know you and accept your offer to be your child and be saved. Help us find the great joy in being your child, so that we will do what pleases you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a story about Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer and John Sculley, who was hired by Steve Jobs to be the CEO of Apple in the mid 1980’s. John Sculley had been a vice president at PepsiCo, where he had made Pepsi the number one Cola brand.

The story goes that when John Sculley was reluctant to leave PepsiCo for Apple, Steve Jobs asked him, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?”

In a similar way, we have a calling to do God’s will while we are doing our daily work and in our daily activities

Paul writes in Acts 20:24 his view, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus; the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

And Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Dear Lord, We know the question you have for us, “Are we going to spend all our lives focused on getting everything we want for ourselves, or are we going to be part of your work in the world?” Help us choose wisely. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.