You know, and I know.. that money of course ain’t evil. It never has been. It’s the love of bucks that indeed is.
Greed is all about the love of money. You know at it’s base, this is about selfishness and this exactly is at the root of almost all sins.
Most of the quarrels and conflicts we have in life occur because of selfish pride, when selfishness is either being threatened, challenged, or ignored.
Q: Do you currently have self on the throne of your heart so to speak? What is your master passion? Got any idols? What do you talk about the most? What are you trying to fill that inner void inside with for the sake of finding fulfillment and happiness? What or who do you look to primarily to meet your needs? Is it to self as your Lord, is it to your career or boss, is it to your savings, properties and investments, or is it to God? Didn’t He say He could meet all our needs.
"And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 amp
Selfishness is all about us when instead it should be all about the Jesus Christ of the Bible living large on the inside, and about helping others where He leads each of us. Meditate upon these words.
“What leads to the unending quarrels and conflicts among you? Do they not come from your hedonistic desires that wage war in your bodily members fighting for control over you?” James 4:1 amp
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. icb
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it because there is a whole army of evil desires within you?” tlb
“Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. Or when you ask, you don’t receive anything, because the reason you ask is wrong. You only want to use it for your own pleasure.”
James 4:1-3
erv #emph.mine
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 nkjv
"But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after." 1 Timothy 6:9-10 msg
We are living in a culture of me, myself, and I, a culture that is completely self-absorbed and our nation crumbles to the ground around us. Consider these stats:
- The Incidence of Narcissistic Personality Disorder is nearly three times as high for people in their twenties as for the generation that’s now 65 or older.
- 58% more college students scored higher on a narcissism scale in 2009 than in 1982.
- 40% of Millennials believe they should be promoted every two years, regardless of performance.
"You should know this, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves..” 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Back in the day during the 1970s, people wanted to improve their kids’ chances, so the "self-esteem" movement was born. Americans were literally taught that all of the social ills that people see today were due to low self-esteem, and that we all needed to learn to love ourselves more. We’re still taught that more than ever today.
One expert claims, "The problem is that when people tried to boost self-esteem, they boosted narcissism instead. All that self-esteem leads them to be disappointed when the world refuses to affirm how great they know they are."
So, young Americans still like the idea of marriage today and most people (at sometime in their life) still enter into marriages saying things like: "What’s in it for me?" “Perhaps this will work” and "What about my needs?" This leads to such inane statements as "I’m no longer happy in this marriage," “I fell into and have somehow fallen out of love” and "I need to learn to love myself -- I need to find myself!"
According to a recent survey of 191 CDFA professionals from across North America, the three leading causes of divorce are "basic incompatibility" (43%), "infidelity" (28%), and "money issues" including debt from I want it now (22%) -- and who will control the couple’s money / community property.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (2/7/2018) – The number one issue couples fight about is also a topic many couples avoid discussing — money. According to a new survey by Ramsey Solutions, money fights are the second leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity (which is also about selfishness). Results show that both high levels of debt and a lack of communication are major causes for the stress and anxiety surrounding household finances.
In late 2017, Ramsey Solutions, a leading company in financial education, conducted a study of more than 1,000 U.S. adults to gain understanding of personal finance behaviors and attitudes, as well as how married couples communicate and relate about money.
The larger a couple’s debt, the more likely they were to say money is one of the top issues they fight about. Almost half of couples with $50,000 or more in consumer debt say money is a top reason for arguments. Those who say they have a “great” marriage are almost twice as likely to talk about money daily or weekly compared to those who say their marriage is “okay” or “in crisis."
So where does this selfishness come from?
The Bible says, "Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves" James 4:1–2 msg
Selfishness is something the Bible says is a sign of the end times: "You should know this, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves.." 2 Timothy 3:1–2 nlt
Where did love of God and of others go? Why so many hardened hearts now? Kind of sad to think about huh. So, what is the antidote to selfishness? It is selflessness in the Lord (who is the most loving and selfless Person who has ever walked on this planet)!
NO! But the Bible says love your neighbor as yourself, Kurt! The Bible tells us you already love yourself, so now love others.
Think JOY: Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last.
Better yet, believe in Jesus. Thanks Katrina Wright for the photo |
Greed is selfishness. It’s using money only for yourself independent of Christ and His daily lead, rather than for serving God and helping other people.
People love to hear their names mentioned and love to talk about themselves even in regards to current events, health, pop culture, relationships, and politics, and money.
Now see Proverbs 11:4, 28–31; 22:1–7; and 29:13.
False statement among so many of em. Photo by Brian Lundquist |
Thanks for the pics, Derick McKinney |
Do not be misguided. Unselfishly God guides the upright in their integrity (v. 3) because they desire what God desires (Prov. 11:23). They unselfishly sow righteousness (v. 18) and flourish like a healthy tree (vv. 28, 30). The upright are a blessing to others in different ways (vv. 10–11), and they gain a sure reward (v. 18). See Prov. 11 chapter and discover what happens to the wicked. The repeated “do not” reminds you that there are some things God does not want His children to do.
There is no way to avoid encountering foolish people. God can give us love for them. We can indeed walk away from a fool when they want to talk trash and aren't open to hearing the truth. The question is not whether or not we will encounter fools (we will indeed, so share what's so), but the question is one of what to do when we do encounter em. God says...“Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance” Prov. 14:7-9Do you want to walk in wisdom? “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Prov. 13:20). Why partner with a fool (Prov. 13:19-20)? Why argue with a fool (Prov. 20:3)? Why think like or become a fool? Why act foolishly (Prov. 14:16)? Why make a fool your really close friend? We should avoid too much time with fools (even carnal worldly believers), like when the fool starts to pull you down. Why become misguided?
Do not lust after the luxuries gobs of money can buy (See Prov. 23:1–3), even when the rich offer them to you. You may get an appetite for such things and start living to get rich (vv. 4–5). But riches fly away, while character remains for eternity. At the same time, do not get friendly with miserly people (vv. 6–8). No matter how much they offer you, their hearts are not with you. It is not the food on the table but the love in the heart that makes fellowship real and lasting.Do not speak carelessly around fools (v. 9), for they will misunderstand and misquote you and get you into trouble. Wait, hold on, then wisely speak. Think before you speak. Do not change the boundaries that men and God have made (vv. 10–11; 22:28; Deut. 19:14). This is robbery and oppression, and God will judge it.Do not fail to discipline your child (vv. 13–14), so that he or she might have wisdom and bring you joy (vv. 15–16). No matter what other families may do, do not envy sinners (vv. 17–18), but trust the Lord and obey Him. Set a good example by respecting your parents (v. 22).Do not mix with drunkards and gluttons lest you become like them (vv. 19–21). Do not even look at the wine (vv. 29–35) lest you end up embarrassed and bruised.Do not sell the truth at any price (v. 23)! It costs something to live by the truth, but it costs even more to abandon the truth, so don't ditch Jesus. He is the way for you, the truth for you, and the life for you. There's no way into heaven apart from Him. Stick with Christ and the Bible. Stay in fellowship with Him and His people.Do not selfishly misspend. What to buy? The truth. Can't pay for salvation though. God says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it” which is wise advice from Proverbs 23:23. Lot sold the truth for a home in the city (Gen. 13:1–13), and selfish Esau sold the truth for a mess of pottage (Gen. 25:29–34). Power hungry religious King Saul sold the truth for the support of the people (1 Sam. 15:24–35). Greedy Judas sold the truth for thirty pieces of silver. Selfishness is way overrated (Matt. 26:14–16), and Pilate sold the truth for the approval of the crowd (Mark 15:15). It is not worth it to live selfishly! Prayerfully see Proverbs 10:2; 11:1, 23–27; 20:10, 23; 21:6 and 28:20–28, 23:4–5; 27:23–24; and 30:7–9.
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:2–8 said, "Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross" (nlt).
Come as you are, bring a friend: 11am, Rm W202 at Prestonwood Baptist Church, 6801 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75093. Ph 214.810.6239, Ch: 972.820.5000