Beware of Greed

Are you anxious about money?

Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” That’s Matthew 6:26-27.

The line between saving and hoarding is crossed when you stop trusting in God’s provision and fail to give to others. He wants us to manage what He provides and prepare for the future, while giving generously, but greed affects the way some spend money and the way others hoard it. Greed wants more, separates families and friendships, breeds dishonesty, and prevents joyful, sacrificial giving. 

Greed can be controlled when we humbly apply God’s principles and values to discern the true needs in our lives. Choosing to commit to a disciplined lifestyle and living in thanksgiving for all that we have, regardless of the amount of income, significantly reduces the danger of hoarding. The fear of doing without in the future causes many Christians to rob God’s work of the very funds He has provided. The Bible encourages saving for the future, but the example of the rich fool makes it clear that God’s balance is this: when in doubt, give; don’t hoard! I pity those who will have to face the Lord and explain why they worked so hard to buy “things” or hoarded money while others were suffering. Jesus warned us, “Be on your guard against every form of greed…” (Luke 12:15)

I want to personally invite you to Knoxville, Tennessee, this September, as we celebrate all that God has done through Crown over the last 50 years – September 10th through 13th. You can learn more at crown.org/50years.