NRS 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one.
In evangelical churches all across America, this verse is used (correctly I might add) as a basis for sermons that teach people to avoid, all forms of sexual immorality, drunkenness, idolatry, and even robbery. But ask yourself this question. When was the last time that Rev. Young Evangelical Preacher began to sweat and beat the pulpit in a calculated tirade against greed?
If you are in the average evangelical church, then the answer may be never. Greed is the forgotten vice. In fact, we have made the vice of greed into a virtue. Our entire economic system is built upon the idea that everyone must be dedicated to their own self-interest above all else.
Instead of preaching against this turn of events in our churches, we have baptized the economic system of capitalism, complete with its reversal of virtues, and now not only defend it with our lack of preaching and prophetic critique, but run our churches based upon it.
We cannot preach against the evil actions of various joint stock holding corporations because we may offend the well to do businessman in our church whose monetary giving is so important to the new building program. This travesty must be addressed. Greed is a sin. Not only is it a sin but Paul places it within his list of the most heinous sins. Christians correctly rally against every other of these sins in that list, but greed slips through the gaps.
A good example of greed being tied to other sins is found in the actions of several oil executives who have putting their record braking profits to good work. These men and women have been buying both drugs and sexual services. When the story broke, all they had to say was “Their actions did not hurt anyone directly” and “the consumer was not harmed in any way.” I pray that the church of God would rise up and preach the whole council of God, even the uncomfortable subject of greed.
Greed hurts people and that is the bottom line. When the pursuit of profit becomes not only the sole issue for individuals, but the foundation for the whole world, then the entire world, including the image bearing creature, will be subject to marketing strategies that will lead to further exploitation. Do you think Paul would fail to teach on the vice of greed or that he would welcome its transformation into a virtue?
Cambodia: 13 Year Sentence for Sexual Assault Perpetrator
3 comments:
Dude, greed sucks. I wish that I could see fewer driving BMWs, BUT greed in the pulpit urks me the most. I agree with John Piper's sentiments of the prosperity gospel -> hatred.
Personally, I need to stop being so stingy with my money b/c that is also a form of greed. I must give generously to others and the Church.
-Jimmy
Treasurer/Secretary
Jesus spoke more on money than any other topic we have recorded. Obviously it is a big deal.
In the Holy Scripture we see some very direct addresses to greed.
"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to ...greed, which amounts to idolatry" ()
"He said to them, 'Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions' " ()
"The greedy man curses and spurns the Lord" ()
"The treacherous will be caught by their own greed" ()
And it goes on and on and on...
We need to realize that finances can often be thought of as a thermometer to check your spiritual temperature, if you will. I, for one, am guilty of too often separating out my bank account from my spirituality. I think of my money as just that, mine. And it’s not. It’s Gods. So who am I to hold on to any of it? How dare I steal from God by not giving Him the little bit that is due Him? And let’s be honest, God does not need our money. But it’s a trust issue. Do we trust that we can give away the money that we have and God will still provide for us? I have debt. A lot of debt. So it seems counter intuitive to give away money when I should be paying down my debt. Do I trust God to keep giving me manna? Do I trust Him to give me this day my daily bread?
Greed is a disease. It is a cancer of the soul that is birthed in the wallet and blinds us to God’s blessings. Satan doesn’t need us to worship Satan. Satan only needs us to worship not God. And whether that be sex or self or money, we are easily distracted. So let’s make a covenant with ourselves and with our God not to withhold anything from Him. Including, nay, especially our money.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
This post made me rethink some of my spending habits. I realized how very little money I use in Kingdom work and how often I am guilty of being greedy.
Thanks Donnie.
Post a Comment