Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
We all want to enjoy good things. There is nothing wrong with that. But when a good thing turns into a greedy thing it leads to all kinds of problems. Greed is the excessive and extreme desire for a person or a thing that ends up bringing great damage to our personal and spiritual lives. God is the only answer to our greed and in him we can discover the antidote to this deadly disease.
Luke 12:13-15 Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
It’s hard to admit it, but all of us can get caught up in greed. It is a potentially damaging and deadly disease that everyone of us struggles with.
Jesus warns us to guard against every kind of greed
Luke 12:15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Jesus understands how powerful, intoxicating, dangerous and deadly greed is. He sees greed as an enemy that comes to do great harm, so he warns us to be on “guard against every kind of greed.” He uses the word picture of a soldier who is to guard against an enemy that desires to do violence. Greed is an enemy that seeks to do great damage and destruction in our lives, so we must be vigilant to guard against it.
Jesus warns of the negative consequences of greed
Jesus tells the story of a farmer who has a bumper crop and needs to build more barns to store all of his grain. Nothing wrong so far. The farmer is being a good business person, until he decides to get greedy and focus solely on himself.
Luke 12:18-19 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
Jesus confronts the greedy person on his foolish choice to focus only on himself. And he warns him about the danger he is in.
Luke 12:20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’”
The three-fold seduction process that leads to greed
Satan uses an ancient three-fold strategy in order to seduce people to choose greed. This strategy goes all the way back to the beginning in Genesis 3:1-7. The three-fold strategy begins by the devil inviting us to give into temptation. Then he attempts to confuse us about what God has really said in his Word. Finally, he uses deception about the consequences of our greedy choices to close us in the deadly trap of greed.
The antidote for greed
There is only one real antidote for the deadly disease of greed and that is God. God is the remedy for greed and when you have God you will discover that he is enough. Contentment is found in God and when you have him, you also receive all that he has to offer to fill up the needs in your life.
- Contentment occurs when you trust God and his provision.
1 Timothy 6:17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.
- Contentment occurs when you recognize that God will never fail or leave you.
Hebrews 13:5 For God has said,“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
Other people fail us sometimes, but God will never fail us. Other people might abandon us, but God will never do that. God won’t give up on you and he won’t leave or forsake you. He is committed to you. That means you can experience a deep and abiding sense of security and contentment.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- What are some “good things” that can turn into “greedy things” in this life?
- In Luke 12:13-15, how did the man demonstrate his greed? What does Jesus’ response say about where that man found his identity? Can you relate?
- Can you give some examples of times when you struggled with greed?
- Why do you think Jesus gives such a serious warning against all kinds of greed?
- If Satan uses temptation, confusion and deception to trap us in greed, which area have you struggled with and can you share an example?
- Read 1 Timothy 6:17 and share why you think that contentment occurs when you trust God and his provision.
- Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God will never fail us or abandon us. How does knowing that help you to live in contentment with God?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
