In the second series of this devotional, we were told that greed is a spiritual disease of the heart that affects all areas of a person’s life as well all strata of the society. This means that greed does more harm to lives than good. In the case of Gehazi’s story in 2 Kings 5: 15 – 27; he got leprosy from being greedy. This puts a stop on his social relationship with people. This devotional will reveal how greed has been responsible for the many problems of our society in general.
GREED DOES NOT LOVE: Greed kills love in the heart of the greedy person. Every greedy person has no love for people around him or her because such a person’s greatest desire is to get all to self. A greedy person does neither love human beings nor God. The more the greed for money and materials takes the front burner of any nation the faster love for one another and of the citizens will drop.Everybody maneuvers one another on how to gain more and more. This is greed! God frowned at this in Ezekiel. 22: 12. God told them “Thou hast greedily gained thy neighbours by extortion.” You cannot extort the one you love.
GREED BRINGS DESTRUCTION: A man with greedy heart can destroy anything if he knows what to gain by the destruction. Greedy people destroy people’s lives and end up destroying themselves again. Greed destroys one’s reputation too. It is hard to trust a greedy person. In the Bible, Jude 11 listed Cain, Balaam and Korah as people greed destroyed their reputations.
GREED RUINS: Greed ruins families and the society within which the greedy people operate. The word “ruin” here can simply mean irreparable harm. Greed causes harm on families and the society. Jacob’s greed ruined the family relationships and caused division between him and Esau for years. Under greed, our nations have been ruined by bribes which have extensively damaged our society. For instance, almost every system in Nigeria has been damaged by bribes and corruptions. Some of the leaders in Nigeria have ruined their lives and that of their households because of greed. The Bible had said: “The greedy bring ruin to their household, but the one who hates bribes will live (Prov. 15: 27 NIV).
GREED CORRUPS LEADERS: This point is very significant as it is in consonance with the characters of some leaders in power. Avarice for wealth, riches and materialism has corrupted them seriously. They are so greedy and self-centered in such a way that they defend their corruptive attitudes. Receiving bribe is corruption, diverting government funds to personal use is corruption. Converting government landed properties to personal plots is corruption. All these and more hinge on greediness. Anyone who is grabbing everything to themselves must know that God referred to them as “greedy dogs” or “ravenous dogs.” The Bible says this while addressing the leaders of Israel: “Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his gain.” (Isaiah 56: 11 (Berean Study Bible)). We have this set of people amongst the political leaders, the traditional leaders, religious leaders, the business barons as well successful farmers. The devotional warns that greed will completely destroy the world if it continues this way. We all must do something about it!!!
PRAYERS:
1. Pray that God have mercy on our greedy leaders who have made lives sorrowful for the poor masses in Jesus name.
2. Ask God to remove His judgment of destroying our leaders because of greed. Ask Him to give them another heart of love for mankind in Jesus name.
POSITIVE CONFESSION:
I am a personified integrity by the word of God. I will make no provision in my heart and mind for greed.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch