The Dangers of a Greedy Spirit - Martin Wiles

Let true justice prevail, so you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 16:20 NLT

I sat in my recliner and watched injustice raise its ugly head. Oh, the dangers of a greedy spirit.

Six balls of various sizes floated around our den. More than enough for each of our three grandsons to have more than one. But they wanted the same one. Our youngest grandson played with one, minding his own business. The middle grandson wasn’t satisfied that he had five more to choose from. He wanted the one his cousin had. So he snatched it. Our youngest grandson crawled over and retrieved another ball, only to have his cousin snatch that one.

Amid this greedy drama, the oldest grandson decided he wanted the same ball his younger brother and cousin played with. So he snatched it from his brother, who in turn screamed bloody murder. It was time for me to intervene and teach them a lesson on sharing.

At the time, we cared for three small grandchildren in our home for six days a week, which provided us with many life lessons. One in particular had to do with greed. I noticed I didn’t have to teach them to be greedy; it came with the human territory. Instead, I had to spend my time teaching them to share and be kind.

God warned the nation of Israel to appoint judges who would see that justice prevailed. If they didn’t, the harmony of the country would be affected, and so would their relationship with their neighbors.

Greed gives evidence of a selfish spirit, and without God’s help, it will, like the jealousy monster, gobble us up. Life may seem more pleasant when it’s all about us, but God never designed anyone’s life to be just about them. His order is him first and others second. Our selfish desires come farther down the list. When they are near the top, we have misplaced priorities.

Only God can birth an unselfish spirit in us. Just as I have to instill that in my grandchildren through disciplinary and other teaching methods, so God has to do the same for me. But we must give him free rein to do so. Bucking his efforts keeps us from learning the lessons he wants to teach about how wonderful an unselfish lifestyle can be.

Instead of holding on to greed, let God teach you the joys of unselfishness.

Father, guide me to follow your unselfish example of giving your all to me. 

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