JOY- Champions by the Fruit of the SpiritParaugs

Joy vs. Greed

Bible story: The rich young man (Matthew 19:16-30)

Theme Verse: Luke 12:15

It is time for us to talk about money. Money gives power, lust, and greed, and can steal our joy. If we could have a little more money, we think we would be happy. We look around and see other boys and girls laughing, and can imagine it is because of all the toys they have, the beautiful clothes they have, or the friends that hang around them because of their money. But the Bible says in Ecclesiastes that "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income." It is true in our lives as well. When you love money, there is never enough of it.

However, joy is one thing that money cannot buy, and usually money steals our joy.

It is interesting that those who have won the lottery are NOT happy years later. In fact, there is a higher rate of suicide in lottery winners! People will gather around you when you have money, but not because they love you. They will gather because they want to take as much from you as possible. Greed for money can grab our hearts very quickly. Greed is having a strong desire to possess more things for ourselves, beyond our basic needs for survival and comfort.

Jesus warns us in the Sermon on the Mount that money can consume us until it becomes our master. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24)

In today's Bible story, we meet a rich young man. This man was a Christian and was interested in serving God with his life. Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

This made the rich man very sad. He had a lot of money, and he did not want to give it away!

Greed is a killer of joy. Children will often look around at what others have and want it. You know children at school who have things you want. Other children want things you have. However, possessions will not bring happiness. Freedom from greed will bring real joy and happiness. Ask God to help you break greed in your life, because on our own, it is impossible to do. As Jesus said to the rich young man, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Let us ask God to do the impossible in our lives, disconnecting us from money and greed, and giving us real joy and happiness!

Questions:

1. Is it ok if I am not caught?

2. What does it mean to try to serve God and money?

3. What is wrong with taking something from someone if they do not need it as much as I do?

Life Application:

Give some of your own personal money to God in the offering plate at church, not knowing to whom it will go. Use some of your money to serve someone else. If you do not have any money, take a possession you have and give it away.