Spiritual Formation 201 - Part 10 - Learning to Live Without Avarice

Last week’s soul training - Blessing those who curse you.

So, how did we do?

Secret Service

Do three things that will lift someone else’s burden. Any act of service that will lightens someone’s load will do. But there is a catch. You must strive to do it in secret! As far as you are able, try to be of service to someone without them knowing it.

Did anyone pray and ask God to send you a person in need. (Watch out for this one!)

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Living Without Avarice: Freedom of Simplicity and Joy of Contentment

Introduction: The Danger of Avarice (Greed)

Well last week we talked about a common issue that most of us face and we use a word that we don’t hear much these days to describe it...vain glory. This morning we are going to look at a similar struggle many wrestle with and again we will describe it with a word not that common these days, avarice.

Avarice is defined as: extreme greed for wealth or material gain

Jesus spoke strongly against avarice (greed), warning, “Be on guard against all kinds of greediness. For a person’s life is not for the piling up of possessions.”

Luke 12:15 “15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.””

Greed is the “desire to possess more than we need, more than we can use” and yet our culture often encourages this vice. Every day countless messages urge us to “Get more! Buy more! Have more!” – as if we were “born to shop”. This relentless pursuit of more, however, never truly satisfies. It only breeds dissatisfaction and distraction in our souls. A person who is consumed by avarice ends up “disconnected from creation, God, and other people”, “craving abundance” yet becoming “desperately poor in all the ways that matter.”

This morning I want us to explore Jesus’ teaching and other Scriptures to find the cure for avarice. And what we will discover is the cure is rooted in

trusting God

living simply and

finding joy in contentment rather than in wealth.

It really comes down to...

Trusting God for Daily Needs (Matthew 6:9-11)

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt 6:11).

This simple request is profound: it reorients our hearts toward daily dependence on God’s provision.

It echoes God’s giving of manna to Israel in the wilderness – daily bread from heaven that could not be hoarded. By asking for our needs “this day,” we learn to trust God one day at a time and to be content with what we have today, “trusting God for tomorrow.”

Instead of anxiously stockpiling excess out of fear, we cultivate gratitude for God’s daily gifts. This in turn cultivates contentment: recognizing that “every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17) and that God will faithfully supply what we truly need (Philippians 4:19). When we trust our Father for “daily bread,” we break the grip of avarice by replacing self-reliance and hoarding with faith and contentment.

Discussion: In what ways does the prayer for daily bread challenge our modern desire to secure our future with excess?

How might trusting God daily for needs help us combat greed and anxiety about material things?

The Healthy Eye vs. The Bad Eye (Matthew 6:22-23)

Jesus next uses a metaphor about the eye as the lamp of the body.

This somewhat puzzling saying makes sense in context of money and generosity.

In Jewish idiom, a “good” or “healthy” eye referred to a generous outlook, while a “bad” eye meant a greedy or envious outlook. So, “if your eye is clear (healthy), your whole body will be full of light” – in other words, if we view material things with generosity and single-hearted devotion to God, our whole life is illuminated by God’s light.

But “if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” – a selfish, covetous perspective will darken our inner life. Jesus is teaching that our spiritual health can be “assessed in part by observing the way one uses material possessions.”

A “good eye” imitates God’s generosity, but a “bad eye” is “self-consumed…who takes instead of gives and neglects the needs of others.”

In practice, cultivating a “good eye” means developing an open-handed, generous attitude toward others. As we do so, we find that generosity brings light and joy, whereas greed brings darkness and worry. Generosity is a key part of the cure for avarice: it shifts our focus from self to others and aligns us with God’s generous character.

Discussion: What do you think it means to have a “healthy eye” in today’s terms?

Can you think of examples of how a generous perspective fills a person’s life with light?

Conversely, how does a stingy or envious outlook affect a person’s inner life?

Choosing the Right Master (Matthew 6:24)

Jesus then delivers an unmistakable choice: “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” Our hearts cannot fully belong to both the Creator and cash. If we try to split loyalty, it will tear us apart:

“We can’t love both God and money—only one of them can be our master.”

When our loyalty is torn between God and worldly pursuits, we inevitably become anxious and spiritually distracted.

Jesus calls for an undivided heart –

to serve God as Lord, and let money remain merely a tool, not an idol. If we seek first God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and make Him our master, He promises to provide for our needs.

But if we make wealth our master, it will enslave us and never satisfy. Here we see that freedom from avarice requires a decisive allegiance: we choose God as our master and trust Him above all. This frees us from the tyrannical worry that comes when money is our god. As one devotional puts it, “Biblical simplicity…means having an undivided heart for God. Simplicity frees us from the tyranny of materialism and the endless quest for ‘more.’” When God is on the throne of our hearts, we find peace; when money rules, we find anxiety. Jesus invites us to wholehearted devotion, which leads to inner freedom and contentment.

Discussion:

What are some signs that money or possessions are becoming a “master” in someone’s life?

How can seeking God first help re-order our relationship with material things and reduce anxiety?

The Cure for Avarice: Contentment and God’s Kingdom Perspective

Scripture offers a clear antidote to the poison of greed: contentment grounded in faith. The Apostle Paul writes, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Paul explains that we came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing, so we should be satisfied if we have the basic necessities.

“If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” Craving to be rich only leads to “temptation and a trap,” causing people to “plunge into ruin”. Paul famously warns that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” causing many to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with griefs.

Notice it is the love of money, not money itself, that is the root – it’s an issue of the heart’s attachments. Paul advocates contentment with adequate provisions, understanding that beyond our needs, wealth can easily capture our heart and become an idol.

In contrast to the grasping spirit of avarice, contentment brings peace. It enables us to say, like Paul, “I have learned to be content in whatever state I am” (Philippians 4:11-12).

Cultivating contentment is closely linked to trusting in God’s care and valuing what truly matters. Jesus, after teaching on God vs. money, urges us “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink…” because our Heavenly Father knows our needs (Matt 6:25-32).

A kingdom perspective realizes that God is a generous provider and our true riches are spiritual. If we look beyond the lust for possessions and see things as they truly are, we become “rich toward God.” We realize we “can’t take it with us” when we die, and if we reduce life to accumulating stuff, we’ll miss a meaningful life. Instead, “the broad and beautiful kingdom of God is ours to enjoy” starting now. When we grasp that in Christ we already have eternal riches, greed loses its grip. “Once we see things as they are, we discover that avarice is not simply wrong, but irrelevant. We need grasp at nothing, for God has already made us rich.”

In place of the striving of greed, we can embrace the joy of contentment – a quiet joy in “what we have today” and in our unshakable treasure in heaven.

Furthermore, contentment opens the door to generosity, which is the practical cure for avarice. When we are content with what we have, we are free to give. “When we live with open hands, we can experience the joy of generosity. Generosity flows from a contented heart.” Rather than constantly seeking to receive more, a content heart seeks to give more. This outward focus breaks the power of greed.

Generosity not only helps those in need, but it brings joy to the giver and refocuses our trust on God (who can always replenish our supply). In this way, godly contentment combined with generosity is a powerful remedy against the misery of avarice. “Stingy people…don’t experience joy; generous people…give freely and experience joy.”

Truly, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The more we practice thankfulness, contentment, and generosity, the more we immunize our hearts against greed’s allure.

Discussion: Why do you think contentment is called “great gain” in Scripture?

How can counting our blessings and practicing gratitude help us feel content with what we have?

Share an example of how generosity has brought joy or freedom in your life.

Poverty vs. Simplicity: Are Disciples Called to Live in Poverty?

A pressing question arises: does rejecting greed mean that a Christian must embrace poverty?

Should followers of Jesus intentionally have no wealth or comforts? We find guidance in both Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings. Jesus did challenge the “rich young ruler” to “sell all you have and give to the poor… then come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21).

That individual went away sad, because his heart was bound to his great wealth. Some have wondered if Jesus expects all his disciples to do the same. However, note that Jesus did not issue a blanket command for all followers to sell everything – in fact, “He never gave that command to anyone else in the Gospels.”

Jesus knew that man’s particular idol was his wealth, so He called him to remove it.

Jesus did not call everyone to     POVERTY      . Instead, he calls us to live with    SIMPLICITY  .

The principle is that:

We must be willing to surrender anything that hinders us from fully following God.

But this does not mean that every Christian is mandated to live in destitution.

I don’t believe God wants us to live in poverty or as beggars. I think, “God wants us to have adequate material provision” for ourselves and our families – needs met and even some comforts – and there is “no conflict with the kingdom of God” in enjoying a comfortable life with gratitude.

Poverty in itself is not a virtue; in fact, real destitution is a tragedy that God’s people are called to help alleviate, not a state to seek. “Poverty, if you have ever seen it, is not spiritual. It is closer to evil.”

The key for Christ’s apprentices is simplicity, not necessarily poverty.

Simplicity is a biblical principle and spiritual discipline that means living free of excess, free of ostentatious luxury, and free of the enslavement to possessions.

Importantly, “the kingdom solution is not financial stinginess or carelessness, but simplicity.”

Simplicity is “an inner attitude” before it is an outward rule. Richard Foster says, simplicity is “an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle.” It starts with our hearts being single-hearted toward God (remember the “good eye” of generosity and single purpose). If our heart is right about wealth – seeing it as provision from God and not letting it become a god – then our external choices about lifestyle will naturally reflect moderation and wisdom.

Without that inward heart change, attempts at simple living can degrade into prideful legalism. We must avoid turning guidance about money into rigid rules or “universal laws” that judge others. For example, some might say “A Christian must give away everything” or “If you love Jesus, you won’t own an expensive car or jewelry.” But “we like to make laws” like these because it makes us feel righteous and lets us judge others, yet Jesus did not intend such uniform rules.

One disciple gave away all (the rich ruler was invited to), yet another disciple lovingly poured very expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and was praised for it (John 12:3-8). Thus, we need wisdom to apply Jesus’ teachings, not a one-size-fits-all law. “Living in the kingdom requires wisdom… understanding Jesus’ teachings not as universal laws…but as insights for kingdom living.”

In practical terms, simplicity as a way of life means choosing “enough” over endless accumulation. It means enjoying blessings with gratitude but also intentionally limiting excess to make room for what matters most – loving God and neighbor.

You can own possessions, but in simplicity we strive not to let possessions own us. For example, we ask ourselves reflective questions about purchases: “

Do I really need this?

Will this item or upgrade truly add value to my life or just clutter it?

Is this expense in conflict with my ability to be generous?”

These kind of “heart-checks” help ensure we are living by the values of God’s kingdom rather than the consumerism of the world. We remember we are stewards of God’s resources.

“I am a child of God, living in His abundant kingdom and not under a law.” In other words, we live in the freedom of the Spirit, not a new legalism – yet that freedom, guided by love and wisdom, leads us to a simpler, more generous lifestyle. The goal is that we hold loosely to material things and tightly to God. This freedom of simplicity liberates us from the burdens that come with excess stuff and maintenance, allowing us to focus on relationships, service, and spiritual growth. And it brings the joy of contentment, as we no longer chase ever-elusive happiness in possessions.

Discussion: How would you distinguish living simply from living in forced poverty?

Why is the heart attitude so important when it comes to simplicity?

What practical steps could we take to simplify our lives without falling into legalistic extremes?

Conclusion: The Freedom and Joy of a Contented, Generous Life

When we embrace Jesus’ teaching to live without avarice, we discover it is not deprivation at all but true freedom.

By choosing a life of simplicity, trust, and generosity, we break the chains of anxious hoarding and ceaseless striving for more.

We experience the “freedom of simplicity” – being liberated from the tyranny of always wanting more. Our souls breathe easier, free to delight in God and people rather than material things. Along with that freedom comes deep joy.

We find the “joy of contentment” in knowing we have enough in God’s provision. We taste the “joy of generosity” in sharing with others and seeing needs met. Life simplifies around what truly matters: loving God wholeheartedly and loving others. Possessions fall into their proper place – useful for good, but not the source of our identity or security.

In God’s upside-down kingdom, less is more. When we choose to center our lives on God alone, we discover the freedom of simplicity, the joy of generosity, and the power of sacrifice – all grounded in the contentment that comes from Christ.

Instead of chasing the mirage that “more stuff = more happiness,” we find real happiness as a by-product of walking with God. We learn that “we need grasp at nothing, for God has already made us rich” in all that truly matters. With Paul we can say, “having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10) – because in Christ we have eternal riches and a Father who meets our needs.

Prayerfully reflect:

Are there areas in my life where greed or discontent have taken root?

How is Jesus inviting me into the freedom and joy of a simpler, more contented life?

Let’s ask God to deepen our trust in His provision, to give us a “good eye” of generosity, and to teach us the secret of being content in any situation. In doing so, we will live in the fullness of His kingdom – free from avarice, filled with light, and overflowing with the joy that comes from treasuring God above all.

This Week’s Soul Training

Deaccumulation

Give 3 things away. Not your junk. Good things that would bless someone else.

Don’t give someone your old clothes or a decent pair of shoes you no longer wear because that may come across condescending.

Something more like, you have 3 guitars and you know someone who wants to learn to play guitar and they don’t have one. Give them one of yours! (Then don’t go out and buy a new one to replace it!)

If you have little money or very few possessions, give away a few small items like a book or a DVD or something like that.

The object is to be 3 things lighter by next Sunday. Think about how much of a blessing they could be in the hands of the right person. Ask God to direct you in this.

Closing Prayer