Grass Yonder GreenerSýnishorn

Greed and Avarice

A forbidden thing always creates more attraction and appeal to the human mind. Greed or avarice makes us Yes Men in our work spots. People tend to flatter their bosses to curry favor with them, not realizing that God’s Spirit is grieved.

Divine grace teaches us God-consciousness which helps in focusing on Him and not on our circumstances.

The basic human tendency or nature is to rebel, at least in our hearts, when commanded to do something. To say No to personal gratification and selfish desires appears to be almost alien to human nature. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Lk 12:34)

Joshua's instruction was that all gold, silver, and bronze vessels should be consecrated unto the Lord. But the fallen nature of man was evident there. The reason for the disobedience was greed. Achan coveted gold, silver, and a beautiful Babylonian garment from Jericho. How appropriately he replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel." This sounds like repentance, doesn’t it? However, delayed repentance is of no use. He repented when he got caught and when the nation had already been plunged into defeat because of his sin. How sad that the greed of one person caused a humiliating defeat to the entire nation. What a dishonor the people had to endure because one man dishonored God’s word!

People often spend their time and energy to amass wealth during the productive part of their lives. However, big wealth and good health minus godliness may not be a great blessing. When we do not obey God, we might easily stumble at the smallest obstacle. The Lord declares: ‘Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained’ (I Sam 2:30). When Joshua fell on his face in the presence of God, He insisted that he stopped praying and set right the evil in the camp. The learning from this incident is that God stops listening to our prayers when we stop obeying His Word.

The buck didn’t stop there. Achan’s family which connived with his clandestine folly also bore the brunt of his deceitfulness.

O Lord teach me to not give in to my greed or avarice, but to obey Your word implicitly. Amen