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Luke 12:15, 21 - Fix For The Greedy Heart!

Luke 12:15, 21 (NLT) Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own... Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

INTRODUCTION

Jesus says that in his Kingdom the good life has nothing to do with being wealthy, so we should be on guard against every kind of greed (the desire for what we don't have). Society usually says the exact opposite. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to entice us to think that if we buy more and more of their products, we will be happier, more fulfilled, or more comfortable. How do you respond to the constant pressure to have more? Learn to tune out the constant enticement to have more and concentrate instead on the only way to lasting satisfaction - discovering great abundance in a relationship with God, who supplies blessings and fulfillment beyond our wildest expectations. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARLS

The only remedy for the sins and sorrows of men is Christ.  The gospel of His grace alone can cure the evils that curse society.  The injustice of the rich toward the poor, the hatred of the poor toward the rich, alike have their root in selfishness, and this can be eradicated only through submission to Christ.  He alone, for the selfish heart of sin, gives the new heart of love. COL 254

In the parable of the rich fool God had made him a steward of His goods that he might help the needy... In living for self he rejected that divine love which would have flowed out in mercy to his fellow men.  Thus he has rejected life.  For God is love, and love is life.  This man has chosen the earthly rather than the spiritual, and with the earthly he must pass away. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God".  The picture is true for all time. COL 256-259

To live for self is to perish.  Covetousness, the desire of benefit for self's sake, cuts the soul off from life.  It is the spirit of Satan to get, to draw to self.  It is the spirit of Christ to give, to sacrifice self for the good of others. COL 259

ILLUSTRATIONS

   Friends invited us to spend a weekend at their cabin. Tall trees framed a beautiful view of the lake, and the call of loons invited us to leave behind the worries of the city. Our friends had hung a few hummingbird feeders from the roof of the screened porch. We sat and relaxed, entertained by the buzzing visitors as they hovered for a drink.
   "One of them is a real bully," our friend Jon told us. Sure enough, one plump bird dove aggressively at the others near the feeder and chased them away. There was a generous amount of sugar water in the feeder, and plenty of room for all the birds. Yet, the one greedy bird insisted on harassing everyone else and prevented them from eating. The irony was, he was so busy being sure no one else got more than he did, that he didn't have time to eat either.
   I shook my head at his antics but acknowledged that I'm not that different. Jesus has filled my life with blessings, but sometimes I get drawn into the greed of wanting more, sometimes in ways that keep me from enjoying the gifts right in front of me. I may even struggle to share with others - my time, my home, the last chocolate cookie on the plate.
   Jesus is so wise to warn us to be on guard. Greed can slip in and become a regular thought and habit before we realize it. He calls us to a life of much greater joy than what possessions can bring us. Sharon Hinck
   Faith Step: Walk through your home and select a few items to give to someone else. Include a note, telling your loved one how much you appreciate her or him. [Mornings With Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

   I sorted through my craft room yesterday and verified that I have more tatting shuttles than anyone could possibly need. I've collected them for years. If I find one in a secondhand store, I buy it. I tell myself I'm rescuing them. That I'll appreciate them in a world that doesn't remember what they are. Yes, I tat and use them sometimes, but that doesn't excuse me from always wanting more shuttles. And thread! I find myself looking online for spools of antique silk and linen thread to add to my more than sufficient stash. I enjoy the suspense of possibly being outbid on the auction site and I feel pleasure when I win. We aren't talking about a lot of money here, but I don't need everything I buy.
   When I went out to check the mail, what did I find but a catalog from a tatting supply company. Slick pages with color photos of shuttles and thread tempted me. And books - another thing I have too much of - with rediscovered tatting patterns. I started to circle everything I wanted.
   Wait. I don't need any more tatting supplies. I haven't finished the projects I've started. I've let myself want and buy more than I could ever use. I've been training my heart to be greedy.
   My craft room has too much stuff, but I can never have enough of what I really want - Jesus. Suzanne Davenport Tietjen
   Faith Step: Open a physical or online concordance and do your own word study on greed. Examine yourself and repent as necessary. Consider giving something away. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

ONE LINER

True satisfaction in life flows out of fulfilling the purpose for which we were created, to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. As a substitute for God, acquiring material excess only makes the heart feel more hollow (see Eccl. 6:2). [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Luke 12:21 - Fix For The Greedy Heart!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100407-0957.html

Luke 12:34 - Where Is Your Treasure?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210606-1131.html

Matthew 6:19-21 - Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240511-0856.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/