Are you greedy? Do you continually desire to acquire more? Do you work harder to earn more money so you can buy more stuff? Have you given thought to the possibility that you don’t own the stuff, but it owns you?
If you desire more, you are normal in today’s American culture. If you work harder to earn more money, you are normal. Our culture has been one of hard work, earn your pay, and spend it almost as fast as you get it for a long time.
Jesus warns us about greed in today’s passage. He explicitly tells us that life is not about having a lot of possessions. As we approach our Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps we should ponder His statement a bit longer. Who do you eat your Thanksgiving dinner with? Do you have conversation with your possessions? I dare say we eat with family and friends. We talk, laugh, and enjoy one another’s company.
But life isn’t only about other people. It is about serving God. Honestly. Stop for a few minutes. Maybe spend several minutes thinking about all the people you know. Who is the most content? Who has the most joy? Who appears to be calm no matter what happens? I’m guessing it is the people with a good relationship with God.
The closer our relationship with God is, the more content we are. The more we trust God, the less anxiety we have. The more we spend time communing with God, the more peace we have. A close relationship with God, a dependence on him, brings about an understanding that he is in control, and everything will work out according to his plan, which includes his follower’s spending eternity with him.
I pray we all spend more time with God. I pray we find the love, peace, joy, and hope that only comes from God. I pray each one of us commune more with God, achieving a close relationship with him. Know that God is in control. Spend time with God. Grow your relationship with God. Accept God’s love. Experience God’s peace. Experience joy. Put your hope in God.
Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Marty Pressey 