Title: Lent Dawn Prayer (18) Greedy...
Contents
Morning Prayer for Lent (18) Let go of greed and live a contented life (Luke 12:13-23) 2002.03.23.
A person with social skills who can live with neighbors
I would like to hear some analogies through the created life. ① He is a vegetative person who only receives what he gives and does not act. It is a life lived with passive and childish thinking in everything. ② Parasite life is parasitic by attaching to others. It is a life that is dependent on others rather than trying to live independently. Furthermore, he is a human being who detoxifies others by sucking other people's blood. ③ Animals and humans that find food on their feet. He is a human being who knows only himself, even if he does not harm others. ④ It is a personal person created in the image of God. They are human beings with social skills who can live with their neighbors while obeying God's sovereignty and providence.
One day a pig came to the cow and complained. "Why am I not popular with people?" People praise the cow so much, why don't I praise you? You only give me milk and butter, but I give you everything and even boil my pig's feet! But why don't people like me? why do i like you more than me Hearing this, the cow thought for a long time before replying: “Perhaps because I give while I am alive.” Yes. What we do tomorrow is important, but how we live now is even more important.
Someone said, "Why is everyone accusing me of being stingy? After I die, I want to donate all my fortune to a charitable fund." Obviously, he is not living a life like a cow. There is a saying in the world, "I'm not afraid of people who say I'll see you tomorrow". Like cows, we should live a life of giving while we are alive. If you do something wrong when you live with the wrong outlook on life, you will be troubled in an illusion like a pig.
It will be a dull life without joy. We must take seriously the words of Jesus that point out the "wrong view of happiness" in the text.
It is a fact that a person's happiness does not necessarily consist in the abundance of possessions.
In verse 13, the younger brother, who had been deprived of his father's share of his inheritance, asked Jesus to retrieve it.
Then Jesus pointed out, "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). The word translated life here can be read as "happiness".
It is said that the true life and the true life have nothing to do with how much wealth we have. After saying these words, the Lord immediately told the parable of "the foolish rich man." One of the biggest misconceptions about happiness, then and now, is that people try to find happiness in possessions. No I will do much more now than I did then. People have a strong desire to be happy, so they do whatever it takes to be happy.
Therefore, if a person has a wrong view of happiness, he is bound to do bad things without hesitation. Those who set the standard of happiness as possessions have neither recognition nor merit when it comes to possessions or money. Betrayal and betrayal are possible.
We shouldn't be foolishly rich. The rich man in the parable of the Lord is a man with a genius brain in collecting money. But the Lord called this rich man a fool. Because no one knew except him. The word “I or I” is repeated six times in the text. He had no neighbors, no society, and of course no God. He only knew how to collect, but not how to write. Even if the warehouse was full and overflowing, they did not know how to give to their neighbors. He was completely delusional. It was his effort to produce abundantly, and he thought that material peace was enough for his heart, and that even his life would be extended by the grain of the grain. Indeed, he was poor. Although he looked like a rich man physically, he was truly poor in the sight of God spiritually. You must not tolerate the foolishness of this rich man in your heart.
Greed is the most common sin of mankind. Greed is like a virus. It is a sin that causes us to forget God, the Lord of our lives. God does not teach that poverty is a virtue. Nor does he oppose the hard work of living for material wealth. Nevertheless, what God is wary of warns of the folly of greed, forgetting God, the owner of everything.
Greed, see your face
Lincoln had two sons, and a fight broke out when the children were young. The noise was so loud that the neighbor opened the door and asked, 'What's going on?' Lincoln then smiled and said, 'Don't worry. There has only been a universal strife of mankind.’ The neighbor asked again, 'What the hell is going on?' and he laughed again, saying, 'Yes, I gave three walnut cookies to the two children, and they are arguing for two.'
Greed is the most common sin of mankind.
Verse 13, the greed of the older brother: the greed of the rich, verse 14, the greed of the younger brother: the greed of the poor
His parents failed to properly inherit the property and he died suddenly. But the older brother also stole the younger brother's share. The younger brother, who thought it was unfair, came to Jesus and asked for the portion that was stolen from him. However, Jesus taught us about the essential problems of life, not about fair distribution. “Avoid all covetousness. A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (verse 15). There are those who have more and those who have little, greed. But greed is a sin that harms people's lives.
A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
The Greek word for 'life', 'zoe' (ζω?), does not simply mean biological life, but 'quality life', that is, a life full of meaning, reward and joy. Therefore, Jesus’ words mean ‘a happy life is not simply about possessions’. And he gives enlightenment through the parable of the foolish rich man.
Greed is a sin that fuels our selfishness by saying, ‘A little more!’
"Just a little more" Everyone says they'll quit when they have a little more, but in reality, it's just a little more and it's over.
A pathological egoist is like a car with a broken brake. ‘Abyss’ in the word hell means ‘bottomless abyss’. Greed is a sin that leads to severance from neighbors who say, 'If only I can live well'. The most frequent word in verses 16-19 is ‘I’.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were also rich. However, it is a sin to live well with “only me”. What does the parable of 'Lazarus the rich and the beggar' teach us? It teaches the value that indifference to neighbors is bad. The rich man in the Bible today has no neighbors. Greed is the sin of closing the door with one's neighbor. What are the 'forgotten words' in the rich man's language?
The meaning of my existence is you. I only have the meaning of existence in my relationship with you.
There must have been a lot of people around him before he became rich. You cannot be rich alone. Many farmers helped. The idea that ‘it’s enough to pay wages’ is wrong. I need to know that I am because of you.
To overcome greed, you must live as the tithing god. The spirit of tithing is divided into 'tithing of offerings', 'tithing of dinner party', and 'tithing of almsgiving'. Tithing is the spirit that emphasizes 'sharing'. Even when the crops were harvested, some of the corners of the fields were reserved for the strangers and the poor. It was for the poor that the owner should not pick up the gleanings. Our ancestors in the old days plucked the fruit of the tree, leaving fresh rice. It is the very natural teaching of God that the modern church shares and serves with its neighbors. If you pay tithing, you must live the spirit of tithing.
Greed is a sin that causes us to forget God, the Lord of our lives. We are stewards, not masters. Both life and wealth belong to God. It is a life that is temporarily borrowed. Therefore, it must be managed well according to the will of the owner. Covetousness is self-worship and idolatry, living in oblivion to God who is my master. “Kill the members of the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil lust and covetousness. Covetousness is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God comes” (Colossians 3:5-6).
What do Christians eat? what to drink It is not right to worry about what to wear. It is the anxiety of Gentiles who do not have God (Matthew 6:25-33). Greed is a challenge to Lordship.
true rich man
It should be a life I live by confirming that my master is God every day. God is the master of life. God is the owner of material things. The father of the family is also God. The CEO of a company is also God. My master is God. Those who live this confession are truly rich.
"God said, "You fool, tonight your soul will be required of you, and whose will your preparations be?" So is the one who lays up wealth for himself and is not rich toward God" (20-21).
This is a message to inform the foolish person who lives with the illusion that he is the owner, that there is another owner. Those who are not rich toward God belong to others. Who is your owner? The true rich live a satisfying life with God. Those who are satisfied with God have no lack. My cup overflows.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He refreshes my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You set a table for me in the sight of my enemies, You have anointed my head; My cup overflows. Goodness and kindness will surely follow me, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23).
“I am not saying this because I am in need, but in any circumstance I have learned to be content. I know how to be humble and I know how to abound. No. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).
A true Christian is one who is content with Christ alone. Is Christ your only Savior? Is Christ your only hope? So what more do you need? What more do you need that Christ is my everything?
Who is your owner? Who is your CEO? Only God is your true owner. Christ is your CEO. I am just a steward of God. Do you agree here?
God doesn't say we don't need material things. But he told me to manage things properly. Man is the object of love, and material is the object of use. Love material things and don't use people.
The idea that ‘if only I can live well’ is the monologue of a foolish rich man. Be tithing. Do not suffer from coveting possessions, but be free by sharing. Be content in Christ. You are truly rich.
The bountiful harvest of the field is a gift from God.
The grain of the pole must be protected by God.