The sin of greed

[IreneMcg]

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry) Colossians.3:5

(The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. 1996, c1989 .)

This verse is hard hitting isn't it, okay we can see how those low and debsing passions such as adultery are classified as so sinful, but here Paul tells us that greed is equivalent to idoloitary. How can that be? Is it wrong for us to want to keep up with the Jones's? Paul pulls no punches here, greed (covetnousness) is ido;itary

Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

Yes, we know that the commandment says "Thou shalt not covet" but does that equate with being jealous of the big salary and comfortable lifestyle our neighbour has? Does it have anything to do with us looking at the needy around us and thinking well I'm alright Jack, but we really have to store up money for our old age. we in the west have been blessed witth so much more in the way of home comforts and belongings than our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. We really do need that big fancy new PC don't we. We really do need a new kitchen, that fancy holiday, we need to build up riches in thev bank and that fancy new car, well we really do need a status symbol. Aha, but how does God view those things?

1Ti 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Do we really desire riches in this present world, are things like idols to us? Where should we store up our treasures?

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:

Mat 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

We are to lay up treasures in heaven for ourselves.

Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

So how do we lay up treasures in heaven? By concentrating our minds on the things of God and by spending our money on that which is necessary, by tithing, by realising that all that we have comes from God, we cannot buy happiness, with money and belongings. With regard to the pursuit of happiness in the pleasures of life, and in ambition, vanity, and vice, people are so often disappointed.".And let your soul delight itself in fatness" -

[tsth]

AMEN!

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

In His Truth,

Suzanne

[traveller]

I agree with my sister Suzanne and say AMEN!!

Welcome to Worthyboards, Irene!

[nicholas]

Welcome Irene

[Guest saved@8]

this topic has always interested me because of the story of the rich man who refused to sell all he had and follow jesus. why did he have such a hard time with giving up his worldly possessions? because they owned him. i think the answer lies in your heart's intent. are you owned by possessions? is your reason for wanting nice things because you appreciate quality or because you have something to prove or want to top your neighbors? no where in the bible does it say that a christian can not enjoy the finer things in life. but when your intentions are to impress or one-up, then that's a problem. i think if you can look into your heart and honestly say that if you lost everything tomorrow, you would be ok because your self worth is not defined by what you own ...then your heart is where it's supposed to be.

[tsth]

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you."

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest phelanfine]

Notice in this scripture. That the heart of the sin is trade.

Ezekiel 28:11-19

11 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

12 "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God: "You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created.

14 "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.

15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.

16 "By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. 17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you.

18 "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you.

19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever." ' "

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

[Only4Him777]

phelanfine,

In the KJV the word used is "merchandise", and Jesus said:

Mat 6:21 (and in Luke 12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

**************************************************************

Now, here is a question:

Do you think it is wrong, if you have a family, to work to provide a house for them? I mean, do you think it is greedful to want your own home instead of living in an apartment?

Now, there is a specific scripture that I am thinking of and can't remember the exact wording to be able to look it up. It has to do with how bad it will be for those who's dwellings are so close together or ontop of each other... I hope you get my point. If any of you know this scripture, please do share - along with your thoughts on my question.

Thanks so much for your input!

YSIC,

Alison :hug:

[Guest seeknface38]

phelanfine,

In the KJV the word used is "merchandise", and Jesus said:

Mat 6:21 (and in Luke 12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

**************************************************************

Now, here is a question:

Do you think it is wrong, if you have a family, to work to provide a house for them? I mean, do you think it is greedful to want your own home instead of living in an apartment?

Now, there is a specific scripture that I am thinking of and can't remember the exact wording to be able to look it up. It has to do with how bad it will be for those who's dwellings are so close together or ontop of each other... I hope you get my point. If any of you know this scripture, please do share - along with your thoughts on my question.

Thanks so much for your input!

YSIC,

Alison :hug:

Mat 6:21 (and in Luke 12:34) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I love this scripture! I love the fact that my treasure is my Lord and Savior, and the family that He's blessed me with. That's why the children always refer to themselves as treasure... they've been told so many times.

I do not believe that it's wrong to work toward providing a home, a life, and security for one's family. I also don't think it's wrong to work toward a goal or have a savings account, or buy new things. Where I believe we go wrong is that our entire reason for being here is to serve others and bless them.

When we get to the point where money is all we're looking to have, where we believe that money will solve our problems, then we've put it and the importance of obtaining it above God. Nothing can come before Him.

Of, course... I could be all wet! I've been known to be wrong before, and I'm sure I'll be wrong again. If I am wrong, I trust that the Lord will lead some willing soul to let me know here.

Much love in Christ,

MaryBeth

[tsth]

Isaiah 5:8 Woe to those who add house to house {and} join field to field, Until there is no more room, So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land!

That is greed, and the verse you were looking for?

And again I post:

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never fail you nor forsake you."

In His Love,

Suzanne