DEVOTIONAL
Imagine you are shopping in a store, and someone gave you the opportunity to either take $1,000 for yourself or give away $10,000 to someone else. Which would you choose? I recently watched a video clip where 3 people were given this opportunity. They could either take the $1,000 or give away $10,000 to a stranger. The first two people took the $1,000 and kept it for themselves. But the last person did something different. The third person decided to give away 10,000, so he found a person in the story and handed her the money. She was so incredibly thankful for this gift. Next, because of his generosity, he, also, was offered 10,000 to keep for himself.
Most people would keep the 1,000 for themselves, wouldn’t they? That is because in our world today we are taught to look out for ourselves and ourselves alone. We want more and more for ourselves. This is called greed, and it is what we are talking about today.
As we talk about greed today, we have to first understand what exactly greed is. I like the way Dictionary.com defines greed. It says that greed is “an excessive desire for more, especially for more money and possessions.” Greed is when we want more and more and are never satisfied with what we have. Greed makes us think that what we have is not good enough.
Now, I have a question. Do you know someone who is greedy? They are not easy to be around, are they? They are constantly wanting more and looking for the next thing. Greed rots our hearts. It makes us into people who are unwilling to share, who are ungrateful, and not content. It is miserable for both the greedy person and the people who are around the greedy person.
There is a better way than by living in greed, but the question is, how do we let go of this greed when it comes? We have to do two things: Be content with what we have and be generous with what we have.
One person who talked about contentment in Scripture was the apostle Paul, who wrote a number of books of the New Testament. It is important to understand everything he faced because of his faith in Jesus. He had been beaten many times, arrested and imprisoned, been without much food to eat, and so many more hard things. As he thought about his perspective, he said in Philippians 4:11-12, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Do not miss this, Paul practiced and learned how to be content. He continued saying in verse 13, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” He had Christ, and because He had Christ, that was enough in every situation that he faced.
That is what contentment does. Contentment looks around at all of the gifts that we have been given rather than the things that we wish we had and wish we had more of. Like Paul, we have Jesus. Because we have Jesus, we have everything we need.
The next way that we fight against greed is by being generous with what we have. Generosity just means looking around and seeing the needs of others and meeting those needs. 2 Corinthians 9:11 says it this way, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” God has blessed us and gifted us for a reason: to be generous. When someone needs something and we can help, the Bible encourages us to be generous. As we practice looking around for people's needs, we start taking our eyes off ourselves. We become less and less greedy when we give away our gifts to the people around us.
I believe that none of us want to be greedy. But we have to actively take steps to let go of greed. Let’s choose contentment and generosity today.
BREAK THE ICE
What are some insane things you have seen people get greedy over?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
1. Share a time greed has negatively impacted you or someone you know?
2. Read Philippians 4:10-13. Why was Paul content? Do you feel like you have this attitude in life?
Philippians 4:10-1310 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
3. How does contentment help us fight greed?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-11. What do these verses teach us about God?
2 Corinthians 9:10-1110 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
5. When was a time when you were generous? What happened and how did that impact you?
6. Would you say that you are content in your life right now? Explain.
7. What do you struggle with the most when practicing contentment and generosity? Explain.
8. What is an action step you can take today so you can be more content and generous in your life right now?
MOVING FORWARD
As we want to become less greedy, take a moment to think about the things that God has given you. For example, God may have gifted you with a loving family, athletic abilities, academic abilities, and so much more. Take about 5 minutes to write down the different gifts God has given you. After writing these gifts, think about one way you can use your gifts this week to be generous. Maybe you can help your friend who is struggling on the soccer team practice or maybe you can help a classmate who is struggling in school. Whatever the case, share with your group how you can show generosity and let go of greed this week.
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