Great Gain

“Take care to guard against all greed.” Luke 12:15

What is greed? According to the Oxford dictionary, it is the intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. We do not have to look far to find people with the excessive desire for money and power. Unfortunately our government is filled with men and women who have an unquenchable thirst for it that they do not seem to care that the more needy members of our society do not even have enough for their basic needs. 

The opposite of greed is generosity. If we find that we ourselves are guilty of greed, a lust for more money, power or food, I think we should find ways to give it away. 

Saint Paul instructed Timothy: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ... Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:6-7, 17-19)