081: “I’m not greedy!”

TV shows like "American Greed" draw us in with curiosity and then feed our focus on other people's greed.

"It's someone else's struggle or sin, not mine."

It's funny how easily we can measure how much is too much for others, but can't seem to find that "too much" point for ourselves.

Proverbs 20:6

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.

Research conducted by Pew Research found that 57% of those Americans surveyed believed that Americans are greedy.

 

In This Episode, We Look At:

"Those Greedy Christians!"

Sadly, the evidence revels that the more money Christians make, the less they tend to give. Evangelical Christians give 4 percent of their income on average. That average drops to 2.43% we include all those who identify as Christ-followers in the United States.

What happened to all of the wishful promises of, "When I make more money, I'll give more!" or the more common, "When I win the Lottery–I'll be a BIG GIVER!"

Taking Inventory—Identifying Greed in our lives

Comparison: the self-inflicted pressure to keep up with others or have what they have. (Mine eye doth affect my heart)

Overspending: Often not weighing the difference between needs and wants, buying impulsively, going beyond the budget

Proverbs 27:20

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Entitlement 

Hoarding—"When I have saved up enough for me, then I can start giving to others."

Ecc. 5:13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

Luke 12:20-21

But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

Improve Your Faith and Finances:

The Cure: Generosity

The tithe keeps us dependent on God and is an effective remedy for greed. Then, as we see God provide and honor our tithing we can grow in cheerful giving.

Acknowledging God as the priority He should be in our lives helps us grow in grace and to have an eternal perspective on all things temporal. When it "clicks" in our heads and hearts that we can't take money with us AND that we cannot out-give God, we can be free to give generously.

 

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