October 6, 2023
Topic: THE IDOLATRY OF GREED
Text: 1 Kings 21:1-15
Memory Verse: Therefore put to death your members which are on the
earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,
which is idolatry – Col. 3:5.
As humans, we have many wants and desires and in this rat race of life, there is a danger of being driven by greed to acquire things that we honestly do not need – big houses, cars, clothing, jewelry, promotions and recognitions, fame and fortune. In themselves, these things are not evil and it is our Father-God’s desire to bless us with every good thing. However, they are not to become the focus and driving force propelling our lives. When they do, we move into the realms of covetousness.
Covetousness is the unusual, excessive and disproportionate desire for material things which consume our lives to the extent that we compromise our principles as believers and more importantly, God’s holy Word to acquire them. Mind you, not to advance His will but to promote ours, our comforts and pleasures and personal aggrandizement.
In our passage today, we see a King, Ahab, who had so much but his greed and desire for more led him to covet the possession of his subject, Naboth. When refused, Ahab “…went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, ‘I will not give you the in heritance of my ancestors. ‘He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat”. His covetousness led to the murder of Naboth which triggered the wrath of God and a curse on his family.
When left unchecked, excessive desires become covetousness and that becomes idolatry because material things have taken the place of God in our hearts and we have become slaves to them rather than to God. In that position that God has placed you, is your priority to bring glory to God or to a mass acquisitions and glory for yourself? Do you become angry and petulant when you do not get what you want? With your ‘personal’ finances, do you seek God’s will and glory in your acquisitions or is it about self? As that desire crosses your mind and you think of making that next acquisition ask yourself some questions: “Is this a need or just another desire? Is this to my glory or God’s? Can this resource be deployed in a more God-pleasing way?” May God help us to give Him priority in all we think and do and be good stewards of the resources and positions He gives to us. Amen!
Prayer: Father, forgive me for my greed, my drive to acquire things that I do not need just so I can feel good and promote myself. You are my life, Lord and pleasing You in all things is my priority. Help me to stay focused on Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. Amen!