The Contented Life Daily DevotionalSample

Be On Guard Against Greed

When you think of idol worship, you might think of someone bowing down to a man-made statue representing some deity. But the Apostle Paul clearly tells his readers that if you are greedy, loving the things of this world more than God, you are engaging in idol worship! Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that He is much more interested in the unseen attitude of your heart than in your visible actions. When you operate with greed and envy, your focus is on your perceived lack and on wanting what others have. This attitude can lead you to behave in ways that are rude, critical, selfish, uncooperative, and even ruthless.

Do you remember the character Gollum from The Lord of the Rings? Possessing the ring of power consumed him with greed; he wanted to keep "his precious" finding all to himself. Though once a hobbit, Gollum's greed and envy slowly turned him into a hideous bent-over being, forever tormented by the conflict within him. In many ways, having a spirit of greed and envy is like turning into Gollum. The transformation doesn't happen overnight, but bit by bit, day by day, a little coveting here, a little wanting there, can turn into a wish and fixation that you could have that which belongs to others.

The Apostle Paul writes that greedy people cannot enjoy the benefits of God's Kingdom. It's not that God withholds His benefits from greedy people; rather, greedy people actively reject God's blessing in their lives. A greedy and envious person is so focused on what they don't have and on what others do have that they have no room to experience God's wonderful contentment for them.

Take time to reflect on any attitudes of greed or envy in your own life. Is there anything you love or place high value in more than God? Confess this to the Lord, repent, and turn to Him in prayer. Ask God to take His rightful place on the throne of your heart and begin to worship Him wholeheartedly again.

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By: Jessica Chen