DCLM Daily Manna 23 January 2024

TOPIC: Beware of Greed

TEXT:  Luke 12:13-21 (KJV) 
¹³ And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

¹⁴ And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

¹⁵ And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

¹⁶ And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

¹⁸ And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

²⁰ 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.

KEY VERSE
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Luke 12:15

DCLM Daily Manna 23 January 2024 MESSAGE

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word, avaricious, as “to be greedy of gain, to be excessively acquisitive, especially in seeking to hoard riches.” An avaricious spirit is the tendency or desire of wanting to have more and never satisfied with whatever one has. It is a wanton spirit that Christians must guard against.

There was a large crowd around Jesus as He was teaching His disciples. One of those people who probably had a dispute with his brother and felt cheated in the allotment of his share of their father’s property, came to Jesus seeking justice. He wanted Christ to divide the inheritance for them. Jesus could have told him what is right, but He did not want to dabble into such civil affairs, as it could eventually lead to a conflict with the Jews and distract Him from His mission on earth. He, therefore, used the parable to warn the people to beware of covetousness.

READ DCLM Daily Manna Monday 22 Jan 2024 – Our Civic Responsibility

Greed in the pursuit of wealth is linked to idolatry, which can endanger the soul. It leads to enslavement of the soul and it is extremely difficult for someone to please God when he is enslaved to riches. The love of wealth and riches gives a false sense of security and leads to temptation. This is why Jesus warned His disciples to be careful of covetousness. Apostle Paul also warned that the love of money is the root of all evil.

As Christians, we must not be too attached to earthly possessions. The rich among us must be ready to place their wealth at the disposal of God and use it for the expansion of His Kingdom. They must be ready to distribute to the needs of the less privileged around them. While riches on their own are not sinful, amassing them to the extent that they seize your heart and take the place of God makes it a transgression.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Covetousness, like hard drug, is intoxicating, addictive and damning.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 20-21