“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 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. 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.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV
“Tell me what you think about money and I will tell you what you think about God.” Billy Graham
Greed: An excessive desire for something you do not have or more of what you already have. Greed: “Pleonexia” literally “Striving for material possessions.”
Vs. 6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Greed never amountsto true gain, however godliness with contentment does
Vs. 7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
Greed is foolishbecause money and stuff are impossible to keep
Vs. 8 “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
Greed is never satisfied
Vs. 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.”
Greed never solvesanything, it only creates bigger problems
Vs. 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.”
Greed is a deadly sin
“You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.” Ephesians 5:5-7 NLT
How to Overcome Greediness
- Pursuetrue wealth in Christ
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
- Plan out your generosity
Things to Ponder Regarding Generosity:
- Is my stuff really my stuff?
- Why does God give us more than we need?
- How much is enough?
- What should I do with what is leftover?
- Don’t feel guilty for what you have, you are just a manager
- Don’t wait for God to change your heart, change your heart by being generous
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NIV
- Practice percentage giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
- Prepare your heart for spontaneous giving
- Practicecontentment and simplicity
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So, we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 NIVP
“That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.” Henry Thoreau
- Buy things for their usefulness rather than status
- Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you
- De-accumulate, develop a habit of giving things away
- Beware of the latest new thing
- Learn how to enjoy things without owning them
- Don’t do buy now pay later