GREEEEEEEED!!!
What is it about us that makes us want more more more? It seems that the more we have/get, the more we want. I have noticed this ugly thing called greed creeping up in my life since Christmas. I have caught myself saying way too often that we need this, we need that. When, in fact, God has given us WAY more than we need.
--"Our couch is ripped. We NEED a new one." Thank you, God, for a place to sit and rest with my husband and kids.
--"I NEED new dish towels." Thank you, God, for my stained dish towels...they wipe up messes beautifully.
--"We NEED central heating in our bedroom." Thank you, God, for our electric blanket.
--"My CHI broke this morning. I NEEEEED a new one!!!" Thank you, God, for my wavy hair.
--"We NEED a bathroom in our master bedroom." Thank you, God, that our new house has 2 full baths instead of a bath and a half for the 6 of us. Thank you for my messy kids. grrrr.
"I NEED a maid." Thank, you, God, that I can get up out of bed every morning healthy and able to move.
God, I confess my 'need' for more things to you. Thank you for forgiving me.
Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
posted by carahinojosa at 9:27 AM
5 Comments:
I know what you mean - so much of our world is oriented around "get all you can get"... What is amazing is that when we have come at this in the opposite spirit, we have been so completely taken care of and provided for.
I do not believe that the opposite of greed is self-denial, lack, poverty, complacency or being poor. I do not believe it is any more or less holy to be with or without - rich or poor, having or not having.
I believe the opposite of greed is generosity and giving, and I believe this is consistent with God's character and person, in that He loved the world so much He GAVE...
Greed is about getting for ourselves, whereas giving is for others, but the most amazing thing is what happens in our hearts as we give.
Jeff
I was just talking the other day, with Darla, about "buying things". We didn't really touch on the issue of greed as much as we discussed consumerism and how we really do not need to buy more than 1/2 of what we buy!
For example:
we have friends that just arrived to Hawaii and are staying with us. A few days before they got here I thought to myself that I NEEDED to buy new bath towels for them to use. I asked myself: "WHY?"
I rationalized that my bath towels are a couple of years old and are starting to do that "pilling" thing; BUT then I realized I do not NEED new towels. The towels I have will dry them off just fine!
rationalization vs. realization? hmmm. another blog another time... :)
There is this couple in S.F. who, after having dinner with some friends, decided together that they wouldn't purchase anything NEW for the next year. NOTHING NEW. They called their decision "the compact". Check out my blog, I am going to post an article about it from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Thank you for your honest post Cara! I love it.
goteeman,
I love that you said this:
"I believe the opposite of greed is generosity and giving, and I believe this is consistent with God's character and person, in that He loved the world so much He GAVE..."
You are absolutely RIGHT. I wonder if we took an inventory of all the "new" things we bought last year if:
#1 - we could even remember all the new things we bought &
#2 - if we could share any of it with someone else???
Thanks for sharing!!
cara - i LOVE this post.... i think many of us are thinking along these same lines... just like candace said, we have had multiple talks about this, and are considering a "compact" ourselves.... we are praying about it. it would be WAY too hard, but i'm realizing following Christ is not a calkwalk by any means... but i'll save the rest of my thoughts on this for our talk!! :-) woo-hoo!!
Jeff--I am so glad that you have been visiting my blog! I totally agree with you that the opposite of 'greed' is 'generosity', not 'self-denial'. When we are greedy we are selfish, but when we are generous we are selfless. Also, some of the most selfless people I know are also the wealthiest in terms of monetary wealth.
Candace--Why do we feel like we have to have new stuff for our friends when our true friends couldn't care less?!? I fall in this trap all the time!
Darla--The 'compact' seems scary AND freeing at the same time. Through fear and faith comes freedom? hmmm...
Cara -
Thanks for the welcome! I am really hit and miss, due to our circumstances, but I visit when I can... and I love to read your blog, whether I respond or not.
God bless!
Jeff
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