May 28 Devotion

Proverbs 28
A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished (20, NIV).

A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him (22, NIV).

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper (25, NIV).

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses (27, NIV).

Greed falls into a category of “acceptable sins” and, consequently, all the more seductive. It is not as abhorrent as hate or lust or anger or homosexuality. It even has some other names that make it sound less ominous, such as “ambition,” “achievement,” and “financial independence.” In this country we reward hard work (or, at least, we used to). What is wrong with a person, having climbed the ladder of success, enjoying the fruits of their labor? (I will not get into a debate about the present trends in our society to punish the wealthy and reward the poor).

Here is the problem: at it’s core greed is idolatry. A greedy person has made a god of money. Whatever your heart desires and pursues… that gives you a sense of significance and worth: that is your god. The greedy person breaks the first commandment—“You shall have no other gods before Me.” They will not “go unpunished.” He stirs up dissension because he wants to dominate the competition. He will use whatever means necessary to get an edge—even cast suspicion on the motives of others. Ignoring the poor is a matter of priority. He must build his personal wealth first. He has justified this in his heart by saying, “I can give more if I have more.”

The poverty that awaits him is eternal. He lives for the present world. He builds his mansion on earth—where he will leave it. He has very little treasure in heaven. His reward will be miniscule. After death his fortunes will be reversed.

Greed is an insidious sin. It works covertly. It sneaks in under cover of a lie. It deceives the mind, anesthetizes the heart and paralyzes the will.

Examine your heart.

I love you.

Bro. George