Greed

Introduction

Greed = intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food:

Learning from the culture we find ourselves in

Movie - Wall Street; “Greed is good.”

we know that is not true, but fool ourselves into thinking we are generous

average christian in the US gives 2.5% to their church

average church gives 2% of their funds to overseas missions

Blindspots…

this is not meant to be a guilt filled message

some will say they are not greedy because they do not have a lot

greed is found in those with a lot and a little

blindspots have the name for a reason, we cannot see them

changing lanes when it is not clear

we may think ourselves generous because we are above average in the US

The goal of the series

Not guilt and shame

guilt and shame is where the law leaves us

so if you set up rules to prove you are not greedy, you have already proven you are

but to share the grace available through the gospel in each of the seven deadly sins

Hebrews 13:5 (CSB)

5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

PRAY

greed is not something that we have to learn

it seems like even toddlers have this idea of more down

everything is theirs, and they will let you know

but many of us act like toddlers chasing after things

Love of money and possessions will always leave you desiring more because you are trying to satisfy a longing only Christ can fulfill.

Why We Need Contentment

We are told the opposite from the world

we know the world lies

but we believe them when they tell us what we want to hear

our culture screams that what you have is not enough

there is science around the chemicals released in your brain when you purchase things

a rush that you want to feel

Hebrews 13:5a (CSB)

5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

life = way of life, way of living

hearers were living a life of running,

suddenly they did not have…

maybe if they did have…

love of money = love of money

the principle, or warning does not change because of circumstance

we may not be on the run, but truth is the same

in fact, we are the opposite

so comfortable that we want more to satisfy our boredom

we should keep our life free from the love of money

1 Timothy 6:6–10 (CSB)

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

great gain - abundant means

contentment leads to abundant means

not riches or possessions

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.

8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

why… how… plunge us into ruin and destruction

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

loving money leads to evil

evils done to others

hoarding money or possessions holds out what can be shared with those who need

evils committed by you

the sin of greed separates us from God

loving money leads us away from faith in Christ

faith in created things to sustain us

a belief that God saves us in eternity, but we save us from day to day wants

faith in created things to fulfill us

I know I have all of this, but if I had this one thing, then I would be happy

faith in created things to protect us

that includes your guns…

loving money leads us to a life of pain

griefs = pain

pain because addicted life leaves you longing for more

Jewish believers scattered by pain and persecution

need to know that there is nothing that will satisfy them like Christ

the writer of Hebrews wants them to keep their life free from the love of money, it will lead to a life of many griefs and it has caused many to leave the faith

none of want that, so it leads to the question of, how.

How Do We Remain Content

Irony… most think get more stuff

Hebrews 13:5b (CSB)

5 Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

satisfied = content

most translations use the word content

content = a state of peaceful happiness

doesn’t this sound great

shalom - inner peace, tranquility, wholeness

some say preach to yourself the truth of peace

Philippians 4:11–13 (CSB)

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.

13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

we can learn from Paul

he has learned to live regardless of circumstances

Paul has lived the life of plenty

plenty of support

plenty of food

Paul has felt need

literally saying living in need and starving for food

people can ask, how could Paul continue after stoning, attempts at murder ext

his contentment does not come from these things

if your contentment is based on things, then you will never be content

Contentment does not happen with enough of things

setting an amount of money

lifestyle will increase and feel like need more

inflation happens naturally and what your set

we are never satisfied

setting an amount of things

newer things are always coming out

and the things that were important will soon be outdated and less satisfying

contentment isn’t just for parts of our lives

you cannot be content in money and greedy with everything else

you cannot be satisfied with your stuff and greedy with money

Breakdown v13

I am able = I have power

strengthens = empowers

I have power, what gives me power, Christ

this is much more powerful knowing that it is about contentment

not about moving mountains, winning a game, getting through whatever your trouble

I have power to have contentment even when bad things are happening

all things v13 = circumstances v12

Be satisfied with what you have… how by the power of Christ in you

The Promise From Contentment

Hebrews 13:5 (CSB)

5 Keep your life free from the love of money.

Why… that is the root of all kinds of evil and it will bring many pains and lead us away from faith in Jesus

Be satisfied with what you have,

How… by the power the comes from the Holy Spirit in us, through the power of Jesus that he gives us

for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

Promise made to Joshua (Dt 31:6)

Moses was about done and Joshua was being put into power

Joshua was given a promise that God would not leave them

this is the God that delivered them from Egypt

provided in the desert

now as they enter the promise land, God would go in with him

We cannot take every promise given in scripture and claim it as God gave it to us

so are we promised that God would always be with us… yes

not by our strength or deeds

Romans 8:38–39 (CSB)

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

be able = have the power to

separate = divide, remove

nothing…

of this world and not of this world

anything you can ask, “what about…”

divide us from the love of God

that means nothing out there (outside of you)

that means nothing in you (sin)

can divide you from God’s love

This is the promise of Hebrews 13:5… The solution to our greed

do not love money, be satisfied with what you have

because God’s love does not ever leave you!

Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus Reflect and Discuss

Reflect and Discuss

1. How does Satan use materialism to blind Christians to the needs of the world?

2. What is holding you back from giving radically of your money, time, and family to God’s work?

3. Do false teachers always actively promote division, or does it happen as a side effect of their teaching? Can you think of examples of both?

4. In what way is the gospel simple? In what way is it inexhaustibly rich and deep? Is it possible to spend one’s whole life meditating on the gospel? Explain your answer.

5. What steps do you take to maintain a proper attitude toward material things while living in this culture?

6. Where does a person get the idea that he or she is immune to the deception and danger of materialism?

7. Why do people have a tendency to look to materialism for satisfaction rather than to God? How do we fight against this tendency?

8. How might a church unintentionally show preference to wealthier members and visitors? How might this be corrected?

9. Do you know anyone who has been on a short-term mission trip? What opportunities do you have for short-term missions?

10. How much does your church give to world missions? What percentage is that of the total budget? What programs could be reduced in order to increase mission giving?