Money Matters: Devotions from Time of GraceНамуна

Thinking About Money God’s Way: Greed

Maybe you’ve heard of the “seven deadly sins.” According to the list of serious sins formalized by Pope Gregory I (c. A.D. 600), greed is number 3, outranked only by lust and gluttony. You could argue that all sins are deadly (true) and that there are far more than merely seven (true). Still--that ancient listing shows a sad history with universal human corruption. People easily fall in love with their stuff, or with the stuff they expect to get or wish to get. “One eager to get rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20). I can spot materialism far more quickly in other people than I can in myself. But that’s human nature. There is greed in my heart too.

Any talking about the Bible’s view of money must start here--with the common human sin of greed, i.e., craving money’s power, influence and security. A spiritually healthy attitude about money must recognize greed for the disease that it is and repent of it. Only through Christ’s forgiveness can the healing begin. “Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 11:4).

What do you love? Whom do you love?