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LOST RIVER CHURCH OF CHRIST | |||||||
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Seven Deadly Sins: Greedby Lawrence Kelley
We have been dealing with the cravings of the body. Things that naturally and rightly appeal to our senses, but turn deadly when pursued without restraint. As bad as they are they do not attain to the demonic transgressions to which we now must turn our attention. Greed, Envy and Pride are the deadliest of the seven and are made all the more deadly by their ability to hide under the cloak of virtue. The fornicator and glutton knows what he is, as does the wrathful or lazy man, the covetous man however, rarely sees himself for the horse leach that he is, but thinks himself to only be thrifty or enterprising. Today we want to consider first what greed or covetousness is, second how we may detect it in our lives and third, the means God provides to overcome it. As we proceed I want us to take care that we examine our own heart thoroughly whether there be any covetousness or greed to be rooted out. I am convinced that the vast majority of us will find plenty of work there to keep us occupied and if we are busy here, we will be minding our own business. There is almost no value in probing whether or not our brother is covetous and even less in talking about our suspicions with a third party. Covetousness is fundamentally a failure to be content with what we have. It is the greedy desire for more. The Signs Of Greed: Discontent in our daily allotment and provision (Heb 13:5). How many of us can say with Paul that we have learned to be content with whatever our material condition might be? Those who cannot be satisfied with little, soon discover that they cannot be satisfied with much (Eccl 5:10). The cure for greed is never as simple as getting more stuff. Remember the principle, wherever you go, there you are. When dreams of worldly goods are more pleasant to us than our thoughts of Christ and grace and heaven. Think of the example of Moses who refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward (Heb 11:24-26). Do your dreams and ambitions revolve around the world that now is, or that which is to come? When we are unable to part with our wealth in order to further the kingdom of God or relieve the needs of others. Liberal giving and sharing is a major test of the heart. The generous have an open hand and are pleased to help, the covetous have a clenched fist and mouth full of excuses. Greed is overcome by faith in God's promises and gratitude for His provisions. Psalm sixteen, instructs us in the ways of contentment. Notice the delight that is taken in God's bestowal of moral goodness to the believer (vv. 1-2). Is your godly character and holy life something of value and worth? How did you get that way? Next, consider the psalmist's delight in his brethren (v. 3). Here is wealth, the fellowship of the saints of God. Third, the psalmists is full to overflowing, because it is the Lord Himself in whom he finds greatest satisfaction and who "maintains his lot" in this and the world to come (vv. 5-6). Finally, because the psalmist's ambitions are rooted in God, he has no fear even in death of losing anything (vv. 9,10). Furthermore, He is assured that life, pleasure and joy are everlastingly secured. |
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