Sunday’s Sermon

If the majority of our time is spent devising financial gain, there’s a very good probability that we are slaves to greed, which is usually a fear-based characteristic. The byproducts of greed include pride, egotism, arrogance, selfishness, lying, stealing, cheating, anger, envy, lust, murder, self-justification, self-righteousness and superiority. I am not innocent. 

Many believe greed is good and mask it with the term ambition. It is seldom satisfied and rarely produces a kind or generous heart. It consumes our time, energy, thoughts and dreams. The legacy of the rich is to have colleges, libraries, museums, buildings, roads and statues that bear their name. Helping the destitute and poverty stricken does not adequately provide long-term fame that big money can buy. 

God may just ask what we did for His children in His name and for His glory. When we answer, He may ask us whose name we put on the offering, since that’s who we chose to receive the glory. 

Some define “dead works” as any work not instigated by God. If that is true, most man-made marvels are for our own glory, not His. Not all dead works are bad, like building a home, but it is import that we differentiate what we do for ourselves and what we do for Him and His children; an inventory of the use of the resources we have been blessed with. 

When the rich man continued to question Christ as to what he needed to do to go to heaven, Christ tested his willingness to give up all his possessions. The big question is would you be willing to sell everything and give it to the poor if asked? If you find your answer easily, think about how difficult it would be to actually do it. This can only be accomplished by great faith!

A grateful heart has little room for greed, but a tremendous capacity for generousity. Be a blessing!