Mostly everyone connects greed
and selfishness with money. Greed is defined as a strong desire for profit,
praise and perfection. Selfishness is defined as being focused on your own
interests, benefit and happiness with no concern for anyone else.
Most of us would say we are
not greedy or selfish. If one would ask our friends, our family, maybe even our
church, what would they say? But suppose we were to ask God. What would God
say? Would God say you are greedy or selfish? I am not talking about money, investments,
or retirement accounts. I am talking about using those gifts and skills God has
given us to use for Him and not for ourselves.
Do you really think God wants
us to be “perfect” during our time here on earth? I don’t. Because it is
through our human struggle, our human “experience,” our rebellious attitude
toward God that He shows His power and Majesty.
For example, suppose I
declare, “I have Jesus as my Savior. He is mine and you cannot have Him.” I’m a
better person, He loves me, and I am perfect. That is greed. Why? It makes me
look good to other people. A selfish attitude goes further and says, “I don’t
care whether you find Jesus or not.” Can you see the attitude come through?
That is our way of judging people and having them act in a specific way we
expect them to act. And if they fail to come up to the expectations that we set
up for them instead of what God set up, there will be NO satisfaction. We will
want more from people that maybe they cannot give. We want people to see us in
a certain way that maybe we don’t want them to see us.
Money motivates people to do
good and bad. Paul does not say that money itself is the cause of evil. He says
it is the LOVE of money that causes people to backslide. This same thing can be
said about how Greed can also happen with attention and affection. Attention
and affection in themselves are fine and have their place. Profit and praise
even have their place on earth. But when the LOVE of these things takes control
of our thoughts and actions, we actually lose control of our thoughts and
actions.
Nowhere in His Word does God
want us to be “perfect.” He wants us to mature. He wants us to act like His
children in His kingdom. He wants us to use common sense and do the right thing
no matter how hard it might be. In fact, here’s what He says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) But
nowhere is He looking for perfection. So let’s stop expecting others to be “perfect.”
Think about it. If we keep
trying to act perfect here on earth, God gets no praise and there is no profit
in Jesus dying on the Cross. Perfection and righteousness are reserved for God
alone. We don’t BECOME perfect or righteous. We are MADE perfect and righteous
by the blood of Jesus Christ poured out at the Cross. Jesus said on the Cross, “It is finished.” In
that one statement He said what was doing is enough for us to carry on. Don’t
focus on what you do for each other. Don’t even focus on what he does for us.
Focus more on how God uses you to reach and influence other people FOR HIM and
HIS GLORY.
Being satisfied that Christ is
enough for us has replaced the greed and selfishness of focusing on ourselves.
It’s time for a return to humility. It’s time for us to do the right
thing and lead the way. It’s time for us to humbly serve God! It’s what Christ
expects of us.
