Short Blog: Challenging Our Greed

Scripture:

Acts 5:1-5, “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.”

Thought:

The story of Annanias and Sapphira is a rare one in the New Testament, a story that seems more like something out of the Old Testament; however, the story is a striking contrast to the end of the previous chapter in which Barnabas and other Christians sold their land and gave freely. Greed is defined as “excessive or rapacious desire, especially for wealth or possessions.”* Greed is the opposite of charity, the contrasting heart of taking versus a heart of giving freely and sacrificially.

Action:

We often like to think of others as being greedy, especially if we lack an abundance of material possessions or financial wealth. Still, we can be greedy with other things, such as time, affection, friendship, or having our own way. This week, think about ways you can give instead of take, ways you can show others charity where you may have previously shown greed in some way.

Prayer:

This week Lord, help us to think or others and learn to give in areas where we might normally want to receive, hoard, or take. Help us to be mindful of how we spend our time, money, and affection. God, may we bring compassion, love, and charity to others. In your name, A-men.

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 *http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/greed

 ~ Daniel Brockhan