Crushing Fear – Day 18 – Greed

It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living nobly and freely.

— Thoreau —

DSC_1298 - Copy1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV), “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Do you struggle with greed?  Greed pertains to more than our money.  God calls us to share our time, talent, and treasures with others.  All of these are on loan from God as we own nothing–God owns it all.

A great way to be convinced a power greater than you has ownership of your time, talents, and treasures, is to begin sharing them with others.  God not only replenishes what we give, but he adds to it…actually he multiplies it.

God is a God of abundance.

The devil counters God’s abundance with scarcity.  He tries to convince us that what we have is ours and nobody deserves to be a part of it.  He also tries to convince us there is not enough for everyone and therefore we must fight to get what we have and keep it for ourselves.  These are lies that usually lead to an anxious and empty heart.

If you struggle with greed start praying for a “giving” heart, picture what it would look like to let go of some of your time, talent and treasures.  Make a plan for how you will use your gifts from God to help others, and then practice, practice, practice.

The blessings through having an abundant and giving heart will pour in like you never thought imaginable.  The biggest blessing will be peace…I write from experience.

In God’s world you cannot keep what you have unless you give it away.

Malachi 3:10 (NIV), “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

Reflection:

What beliefs, thoughts and actions cause you to struggle with greed?

Additional Scripture to read and reflect upon:  Proverbs 28:25, Luke 12:15, 1 Timothy 6:9

P.E.A.C.E.

Jay@EagleLaunch.com

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