Neither chasing after the world's goods nor the unethical pursuit of victory is favored by God. For such is but greedy gain.
GREED IS IDOLATRY
Luke 12 (NLT)
¹³Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” ¹⁴Jesus replied, “Friend, who made Me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”
¹⁵Then He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” ¹⁶Then He told them a story:
“A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
²⁰“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
²¹“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Though the man, in this story, petitioned Jesus, even pleading with Him, because both his focus and approach was worldly, instead of righteous, Jesus deemed it "greed." Though many may plead the blood, Jesus is not blind to man's true intentions. When the spiritual "math ain't mathing" and people persist in their own plans to enrich or glory themselves in earthly things, rather than heed God’s instructions, Jesus Himself, deferring to the FATHER, removes Himself from the equation.
Man has always sought to qualify himself through his much hard work. BUT GOD knows man's self purpose. There's nothing wrong with hard work. Yet, even in the quest for something as small as a trophy, worldly honor, God knows the true nature of man. Though men may put forth very hard work, oftentimes because of his propensity to praise himself through his own efforts, honor is deferred. Using the parable of "The Laborers in the Vineyard," God says:
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? Matthew 20:15 (ESV)
Despite how hard people may work their rituals, for example, God knows the true motivation. He has more than one city and indeed His desire is to reward all who honor Him. Does this mean that the cities honored are perfect? Absolutely not. But they showed up with the right spirit AND did the perfect will of God. Therefore, while immaturity angrily turns the back; maturity, heeding God's instructions, continues to receive legitimate rewards.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
¹³Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” ¹⁴Jesus replied, “Friend, who made Me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”
¹⁵Then He said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” ¹⁶Then He told them a story:
“A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
²⁰“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
²¹“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Though the man, in this story, petitioned Jesus, even pleading with Him, because both his focus and approach was worldly, instead of righteous, Jesus deemed it "greed." Though many may plead the blood, Jesus is not blind to man's true intentions. When the spiritual "math ain't mathing" and people persist in their own plans to enrich or glory themselves in earthly things, rather than heed God’s instructions, Jesus Himself, deferring to the FATHER, removes Himself from the equation.
Man has always sought to qualify himself through his much hard work. BUT GOD knows man's self purpose. There's nothing wrong with hard work. Yet, even in the quest for something as small as a trophy, worldly honor, God knows the true nature of man. Though men may put forth very hard work, oftentimes because of his propensity to praise himself through his own efforts, honor is deferred. Using the parable of "The Laborers in the Vineyard," God says:
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? Matthew 20:15 (ESV)
Despite how hard people may work their rituals, for example, God knows the true motivation. He has more than one city and indeed His desire is to reward all who honor Him. Does this mean that the cities honored are perfect? Absolutely not. But they showed up with the right spirit AND did the perfect will of God. Therefore, while immaturity angrily turns the back; maturity, heeding God's instructions, continues to receive legitimate rewards.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
God's way rewards without shame.
