Life Journal 09-29-10

Greed

(S) Scripture
Luke 12:15 (NIV)
¹⁵ Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Luke 12:22-23 (NIV)
²² Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
²³ Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

(O) Observation

When Jesus hears a question about dividing an inheritance he answers by addressing greed. Jesus teaches that our lives are not determined by the abundance of our possessions and we are meant for so much more. If God takes care of lowly sparrows how much more will he provide for those who trust in Him.

(A) Application

We are fast approaching the final month before the mid-term elections. The airways are full of political ads with candidates making all kinds of promises directed at our greed. The emphasis seems to be "elect me and I will get you stuff, whatever stuff might mean. They promise jobs, extended benefits, comfortable retirements, healthcare and on and on we could go with promises that appeal to our greed. These ads play on people's fears and imply that if we should just trust the politician to take care of us. "What's in it for me" is a powerful tool that is the antithesis of what Jesus taught. Regardless of who is elected or what laws are passed we are to trust in the Lord and not the government for our well being. Greed is fueled by fear.

Next week our church is beginning a small group study using Max Lucado's book, "Fearless". I will also be preaching on the same themes each week. It is the "fear not" message from this passage in Luke that is echoed in other New Testament books that form the foundation for this series. When we live fearless lives we experience life at its fullest as God intended for His children.

(P) Prayer

Lord help me not to be deceived by promises that play on my greed. Let me trust in you and you alone. Help me to live a life without fear because I am trusting in You. Amen

Routines

Routines give some structure to my life. They are so beneficial and yet so easy to get away from. Spiritual disciplines need to be part of that daily routine. There was a time when I blogged my personal devotion every day and it has been a while since I did that. My desire is to exercise at least three days a week and yet that too is not what it should be. There is a little booklet out called "The Tyranny of the Urgent" that identifies the problem for me. I allow the urgent to override the important. It seems that I am slave to the urgent and neglect what is important. Reading and studying for Sunday messages does not constitute a personal quiet time. Too often I let it squeeze out my personal devotion and instead of asking, "How will I be different because of what I have just read?" I am asking, "What is in this passage that the church needs to hear?" It is subtle but oh so destructive to what God wants to do in me. We are in the beginning of a new church programming year, children, youth, and adult activities are back in full swing after the summer. It is a good time for me to do the same, get back into a good God honoring routine.

What are your thoughts?