Generosity instead of greed
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Then Jesus said to them, ‘Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns’ (Luke 12:15).
We might not say we are greedy, but it seems that greed can be present in all sorts of ways.
While money or possessions may be the obvious culprits, greed can spill across into other areas. It is good to examine our conscience in all areas.
If we find we are greedy in any area, what should we do? The obvious is to confess and change our ways. But if I may be so bold, I would like to suggest that the best way to overcome greed is to be generous! In fact, be over-generous.
I might be even bolder and say that most reading this could say, ‘I have enough good things stored to last for many years’ (verse 19). (There will be exceptions; I acknowledge that. If you are struggling, seek help through financial counsellors or similar.) But the reality is, most of us have enough and more than enough.
Years ago, in a poem titled ‘Enough’, I wrote these words:
When we who have too much
Recognise enough is enough
Maybe those who have too little
Will edge closer
Towards our enough.
Our generosity enables others to live. It expands our hearts. It responds to the generous and loving God revealed throughout Scripture. By being generous, we live in the image of God. By being generous, we have life. We can enjoy it abundantly and enable others to have life (in what to them is probably abundance).
The antidote to greed, excessive wealth and too many possessions is living in the grace of our generous God and sharing that grace in whatever way we can.
Generous One, I thank you for all you give me. Help me to reflect your generous heart in all I do and have. Amen.
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