The Antidote of Greed is the Joy of Generosity

Proverbs 11:17-28

This morning we are opening our hearts to a word that has much darkness and pain. It's called Greed. Greed reveals unbelief. The phrase “He got greedy” is a modern proverb of sorts that we use when people go for a little bit more than they should and things turn out Bad. This kind of greed is often easy to recognize in others, but it is hard to recognize in ourselves. We think greed is a rich man’s problem. However, it can be a poor man’s and those who follow Jesus. The person in Prov. 30:7-9 understood this, and he offered up this prayer for himself

Proverbs 30:8–9 (NLT)

O God, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. He asked God for a life of moderation that includes neither wealth nor poverty.

When you look at the definition of Greed, it is an insatiable desire , often accompanied by a selfish and excessive longing to acquire more than what is needed, regardless of the consequences to others or even oneself. It involves an intense craving for accumulation and hoarding of resources, without regard for the well-being of others or the ethical implications of one's actions. Greed can lead to exploitation, dishonesty, and disregard for moral principles, as individuals prioritize their desires over the needs and rights of others. Guiness book of world records ( the words in this definition Insane Desire)

(Show a pic of the empty shelves and ask the audience if they know why these shelves are empty.)

ANSWER: Due to STOCKPILING during the pandemic. This is from an article by Erik Helzer, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School title “Justifiable or Just Greedy?”

Now, ask yourself just how much toilet paper did you and I need?

If you think greed doesn’t hurt people directly, the article states “Stockpiling of the sort that wiped out access to necessities, like toilet paper, household cleaners, hand sanitizers, etc., clearly harms other people, both directly and indirectly. Directly, it limits immediate access to necessities, particularly for vulnerable groups. That is why in my neighborhood, for example, stores needed to reserve early-morning shopping hours for senior residents, literally to protect them from the stockpilers,” “hoarding,” or “panic buying.”

Of course, it’s important to point out that not everyone responded in the same way to the opening moments of the crisis. Many people did not stockpile, and some felt the urge but turned back. I read an account of a cashier who witnessed customers having second thoughts at the checkout stand and returning some of their supplies to the shelves so others could have access.

anyone whose life is consumed by how to accumulate wealth, they fail to realize they are poor twice over? This is seen in 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (DON’T read the scripture it will be read in the example)

1 Timothy 6:9–10 ESV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Timothy share two different poor states that people put themselves in. The first poor state is Physical - Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

All the scheming on how to get rich that they physically don’t have much of anything, broke and don’t realize it.

The second poor state is Spiritually, which is the worst-. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. That’s the definition of poor twice over.

Paul tells us in the New Testament is echoed throughout the book of Proverbs—greed is deadly. We see this truth clearly in Proverbs 11:17–28. Greed Is Foolish. Proverbs argue that greed is foolish and deadly, and you should be able to observe that in everyday life.Greed hurts us in all kinds of ways. Greed might make you a workaholic who misses out on time with family, or it might make you a miserably kind of person who refuses to be kind to others. The Bible says that kind of lifestyle will injure you personally. We see this truth in Proverbs 11:24–26.

So our title this morning deals with what’s a cure or antidote to combat the greed around us. It’s called the Joy of Generosity.

So proverbs shows us both sides greed and generosity showing both sides and allowing us to make a choice. but its obvious to see that Generosity becomes the antidote to our greed, as we are restored into the image and likeness of God (Eph. 4:24). Such practicing of generosity releases our hearts to be like that of our Savior, who was generous to the end of all his resources, even his own life, for our sakes! As we refer back to our main scripture in this series isa. 53 He was wounded and afflicted for our sake our iniquities.

John Piper defines greed as “desiring something so much you lose your contentment in God” Therefore, greed is thinking that you need this or that to be happy. It’s thinking, “For me to be happy I need God plus——.” )If you filled in something other than contentment, God may no longer be enough. So let’s open our Bibles to find the Antidote in Proverbs 11:24–28 Zack Go ahead and read for us.

Proverbs 11:24–28 (NLT)

Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. People curse those who hoard their grain,

but they bless the one who sells in time of need.

If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! Trust in your money and down you go!

But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.

Proverbs 11:24-28 teaches the principles of generosity, righteousness, and wisdom, highlighting their positive outcomes and contrasting them with the negative consequences of selfishness, wickedness, and folly. It encourages readers to cultivate a generous and righteous lifestyle, trusting in God's provision and guidance for a flourishing life.

Good morning beloved congregation and guests. Now, let us delve into the timeless virtue of generosity, a quality that not only enriches the lives of others but also fills our hearts with immeasurable joy.

1. **Understanding Generosity**:

I gave you the definition of greed, and now let me share with you another definition; “The virtue of generosity” is the quality of being willing to give freely, without expecting anything in return. It involves a selfless and open-hearted disposition to share one's resources, time, talents, and compassion with others. Generosity is rooted in empathy, kindness, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. It is not limited to material giving but encompasses acts of service, encouragement, forgiveness, and hospitality. Generosity fosters connection, fosters gratitude, and contributes to building a more compassionate and equitable society. Overall, generosity reflects the best of human nature and embodies the spirit of love in action. Have you ever experienced something moving in action? It's a selfless act that stems from a heart overflowing with love and empathy. Verse 24 highlights the paradoxical nature of generosity. It suggests that those who give freely tend to receive even more blessings in return, while those who withhold out of greed or fear of scarcity often find themselves lacking or in poverty.

On your prayer email list this week, we prayed about a family that lost a loved one. People gave food, flowers, and money to this family. Do you know what this family did? They gave it all away to other people in need. Proverbs 11:17 says

Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)

Your kindness will reward you,

*Proverbs 11:25 (NIV):** "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Tell the story about your father passing and you cutting the hair of those veterans.

2. **The Biblical Perspective**: Throughout the Bible, we find countless teachings on generosity. Proverbs 11:25 reminds us, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Similarly, 2 Corinthians 9:7 urges us, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, Why? Cause God loves a cheerful giver." These verses emphasize the joy and blessing that come from giving freely and joyfully FROM THE HEART. - Here, the emphasis is on the positive outcomes of generosity. Those who generously give of themselves, whether it be material resources, kindness, or encouragement, will experience prosperity and renewal in their own lives. The apostle Paul said it best in Acts 20:35 “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

I was able to see this in action when our Wednesday night Bible class played a game where they were giving about 12 pieces of individually wrapped candy in a bowl and everyone had one minute to remove candy from their own bowl and put it in someone else’s bowl. But they could only remove one piece at a time. The goal is to have the fewest pieces of candy in their bowl at the end of the minute. I observed the following:

These grown people were rushing around the room eager to give away their candy.

If someone’s bowl was empty, others made sure to keep giving them candy until it started to fill back up. (Making sure they didn’t go without)

There was so much laughter in giving the candy away.

Even when some where covering or moving their bowls so that they would not receive anymore candy, but was still giving their candy away, they were still practicing acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than to receive.

3. **Generosity in Action Leads to Transformational**

Generosity can be easier when you love or know a person or even when the church financially adopts a family in need they have yet to meet. But how about the person who mistreats you or really just doesn't like you. Luke 6:35 -36 calls this person your Enemy.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

When my youngest son was in the second grade there was a kid we’ll call him Ricky and he was a very angry. He sat near my son. Often Darius would come home talking about how mean this kid was to him and that he had hit him. So my wife went to talk to the teacher to see if he was bullying or singling out our son. The teacher stated he was mean to everyone. So my wife didn’t take it too seriously but would often ask Darius how he was interacting with Ricky and Darius would state, “He’s still mean Mom.”

One time my wife was at the school and Darius’s class was on recess and she asked him why those kids were on the wall and Darius stated, “They did something wrong or didn’t turn in their homework.” Then she asked him if Ricky was on the wall and he said, “He stays on the wall.”

Well, sometime had passed and there was no talk about Ricky. So my wife mentioned him and wanted to know how they were getting along. Darius said, “Oh mama he’s my friend now.” My wife looked shocked and asked him how that happened.

Whenever Millwood would have basketball tournaments in the daytime they would let the kids pay a $1 to go to the games and if they didn’t have a $1 they would have to remain in class. Well Ricky was crying and mad because he didn’t have a dollar. My wife had given Darius extra money for the concession stand but Darius said, “Mama, I gave him my extra dollar so he could go to the game, and he is no longer mean to me.” My son’s ACTIONS of being kind or generous to his ENEMY TRANSFORMED their relationship to friendship. You can’t tell me God’s word doesn’t change people when you respond like Jesus.

Generosity knows no bounds—it's a universal language that transcends cultural, social, and economic barriers.

4. **Generosity helps us strengthen our spiritual gifts** Yes, generosity can be closely connected to our spiritual gifts. Many spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of giving and generosity as a way to cultivate compassion, empathy, and selflessness, which are often considered to be spiritual virtues. When we use our spiritual gifts to benefit others and contribute positively to the world, it can deepen our sense of purpose and fulfillment. It gives us value and self-worth. we can get rid of the flashlight in the daytime and allow our faith to lead us on the path of righteousness.

5. **The Ripple Effect**: One act of generosity can set off a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward. When we give generously, we not only meet immediate needs but also sow seeds of hope and kindness that can bear fruit for generations to come.

My wife was so proud of our son’s generosity that it inspired her to put extra dollars in his backpack, just incase he wanted to share with other kids to attend a school activity. I think it was Jesus who said in Matthew 18:3

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

There is unparalleled joy in giving. It's the joy of seeing a smile light up someone's face, the joy of knowing that you've made a positive difference in someone's life, and the joy of aligning your actions with your values and beliefs.

7. **Overcoming Obstacles**: Sometimes, we may hesitate to be generous due to fear of scarcity or selfishness. However, generosity is not diminished by what we give but rather by the spirit in which we give. As we open our hearts and hands, we discover that the more we give, the more abundant our lives become.

Closing

In conclusion, let us embrace the virtue of generosity with open arms and open hearts. Let us strive to be channels of blessings, spreading love, kindness, and compassion wherever we go. Remember, true joy is found not in what we accumulate for ourselves but in what we give to others. As we embark on this journey of generosity, may our lives be enriched, and may our world be transformed by the power of love in action.

Let us not wait until tragedy strikes to show generosity, let's not wait until some holiday seasons to be generous, let’s reach out to the schools and the community, let us dig deep down in our souls and allow the spirit of love to shine down on our dark world.

Forest Park, I wanted to commend you and thank you for the genorosity and kindnees you have already shown thus far and to GOD BE THE GLORY.

Extend invitation.