“Greed is a rotten fruit cultivated in the soil of a deeply discontented heart.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 18, 2023
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners. Proverbs 1:19, NKJV
Greed is a rotten fruit cultivated in the soil of a deeply discontented heart. When we look at our lives and feel they are lacking – lacking relationships, material goods, physical beauty or charm – we either wallow in discontent or turn that frustration into activity, giving ourselves to the pursuit of that which we do not have. As such, rather than resting in the peace of God’s presence, we only add fuel to the fire of our passions and become all the more enslaved to their demands.
With timeless wisdom and clear insight into the human spirit, Proverbs cuts to the very heart of the problem with greed: it takes away life. Of course, this begs the question, “What is life?” For the Christian, this is a question to which we can give a clear and straightforward answer. As it says in John 1:4, “In him was life.” Christ is the life of the world, and to know him is to be filled with life eternal. We, therefore, must always be attuned to the competing claims upon our lives, the passions and pursuits that act as substitutes, promising life while only leading to death.
Of the many items on this list, greed may be at the very top.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
The cruelty of greed is that it is never satiated. No matter how much you have, you can always have more. The more you feed your greed, the hungrier it becomes! And when taken to its logical end, as Proverbs warns us, it will consume your entire being, which is certainly a form of death. If our bodies and souls are overtaken by greed, there is no room left within us for anyone or anything else.
And so, we heed the words of Hebrews 13 and “keep our lives free from the love of money” in order to have room for Christ to fill us with his life. Clear the rooms of your heart so that our Lord may enter and make his home there within (John 14:23).
Prayer
Father, keep us free from a life of greed so that we may instead be filled with your life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Where has greed taken root within you, promising life yet leading instead to certain death?
Related Reading
Ecclesiastes 5:10–13; Luke 12:13–21; 1 Timothy 6:6–10
Worship Resource
Keith & Kristyn Getty, Rend Collective: Rejoice
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
