by Marilyn Ehle
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15
A parent shouts to the curbside child who is just about to step into traffic: ‘Watch out’. Not only does the mother’s heart beat faster as she contemplates the possible danger to her beloved child, but she takes immediate action. She thrusts out her arm, grasping the coat of the little one who is unaware of the speeding car.
Jesus uses strong words in his warning about greed. The term ‘watch out’ has within it the meaning of a posted sentry who is on duty, peering out into the darkness of night for an approaching enemy. What could possibly be dangerous about the accumulation of possessions? Does not our culture encourage material comfort? Are we not to provide for, and provide in abundance, for ourselves and our families?
Jesus was comfortable in the presence of wealth: he attended a lavish wedding (and even provided more wine!), he dined at the home of a wealthy citizen. But he also declared that he had come to preach good news for the poor, and he consistently reached out with grace to the leper and other outcasts.
So why does he warn us with such strong words about ‘the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to always have more’. A thorough study of the effect of greed would provide many answers, but perhaps we get a hint in another statement of Jesus: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” When we find ourselves always grasping to add one more material asset, we may miss out on one of God’s particular – and more valuable – treasures. Dr. James Singleton said, “When you are yearning for something that money can buy, you just might miss something that money cannot buy.”
Lord, I take seriously your warning about many things, but this particular warning seems to slip by. I obviously do not consider my many ‘wants’ as signals of a deeper problem. Lord, help me discern the difference between a need and a want and then understand better how to treasure what is important to you.
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