Deadly Sins New and OldSample

Greed

Just about everybody has an allergy these days. The vulnerability lies within us and is set off by various things--pollen, dust, cat dander, dairy, peanuts, and gluten to name a few. Alas, seeds of far worse damage also lie within us, the seeds of deadly sins.

Sins like materialism. It’s not so hard to see it in other people, but much harder to see in your own heart and life. Jesus warned his disciples about the siren song of money lust: “He said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions’” (Luke 12:15).

Is it good to be ambitious? Sure. Is it okay to build your family’s wealth? Yes. Is it good to be a saver? Of course. So how can you tell if you are getting greed sickness? One: do you see all you have as gifts from God, to be used for his agenda? Two: do you set aside a noble percentage of your income as a gift for the Lord (who gave you everything in the first place)? Three: do you measure the success of your life by the amount of wealth (or lack thereof) you’ve been able to amass? Four: have you ever cheated someone else, like a customer or your company, to enrich yourself?

What’s the antidote? Take inventory of your life. Place at the very top of your list the forgiveness of your sins that you have through Jesus Christ your Savior.