December 4, 2019

“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” – Luke 12:15

There is a story about a rabbi who takes one of his students to a window and asks, “What do you see?” The man answers, “People.” The rabbi then takes him to a mirror and asks, “What do you see?” The man answers, “Myself.” The rabbi then tells him, “The window is glass and the mirror is glass, but the glass in the mirror is covered with a little silver. And no sooner is a little silver added, then you cease to see others and only see yourself.” In Luke chapter 12 Jesus is warning a man who has demanded that his brother give him part of the inheritance. One of the most dangerous things about greed is that others become either pawns to be used or roadblocks to be moved in order to get what we want. Add a little silver and we only see ourselves.

Each year we go from Thanksgiving to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Each year pastors take this time to point out the incredible contrast between thankfulness and covetousness. But this year I began to think, we do not need a Black Friday or a Cyber Monday to covet. Greed is all around us all the time and every day we are in danger of falling into that trap. So, this year, in order to guard against greed, make this season all about those around you. Look for ways to bless them and show them love. When you give generously to those around you, then you guard against the danger of only seeing yourself.

Father, give us a heart to love others with the same kind of love You have shown us. Let us sacrifice ourselves instead of taking from others. Let us give generously without thought of receiving.

In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon