Vance K. Jackson leads readers in this powerful devotional. Greed is not love. Greed is selfish. Greed is prideful. Greed is murderous. Greed is jealous. Greed is envious. Greed will steal, kill, and destroy at any cost. Let God lead your heart as you read this timely message.
Vance K. Jackson
Day 1
Scriptures: Luke 12:15, Romans 12:3, John 10:10, 1 John 4:8, Mark 8:36
Guard Against Greed.
”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 KJV
According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for “covetousness” used in Luke 12:15 KJV is, ‘pleonexia’ (G4124), which means, “Greedy desire to have more, covetousness, avarice.” Take heed, and guard yourself against greed. God has given you a measure. He’s given you your portion. Choose not to covet after another man’s vineyard.
For Romans 12:3 KJV declares, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” God has dealt you a measure of faith. Work your faith and steward the measure that He’s given you.
John 10:10 KJV declares, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“ Christ came so that you might have life—life to the full. In abundance. The difference between abundance and greed is love. For 1 John 4:8 KJV declares, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.“
Greed is not love. Greed is selfish. Greed is prideful. Greed is murderous. Greed is jealous. Greed is envious. Greed will steal, kill, and destroy at any cost.
For Luke 12:15 AMPC expounds upon greed in the following manner, “And He said to them, ‘Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.’”
According to the Amplified version, “Greed” as stated in Luke 12:15 AMPC, is defined as: “The immoderate desire for wealth.” Proverbs 13:22 KJV puts it this way, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.“
The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just. Stewardship of earthly materials, resources, and influence is not greed. The idolization and worship of wealth is what is wicked. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?“ Mark 8:36 KJV. “Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”“ Luke 12:15 NLT
Day 2
Scriptures: Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:8, Psalms 1:2
Guard Your Heart.
”Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.“ Proverbs 4:23 KJV
Keep and guard your heart. Keep your heart clean. Keep your hands pure. Keep your hands pure from vile transactions. Keep your heart clean from impure ideas and thoughts. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.“ Proverbs 4:23 NLT.
Shift your meditation. Shift your heart. Philippians 4:8 KJV declares, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.“
Think on the things of God. Meditate upon His Word. Psalm 1:2 KJV declares, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.“ According to Strong’s Concordance the Hebrew word for ‘meditate’ is ‘hagah’ (H1897), which means, “To moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak.” Utter His Word in every circumstance. Meditate upon His Word in every season.
Declare His Word both in the day and at night. Declare His Word when things are going well (day) and when things aren’t going well (night). Declare His Word when things are favorable (day) and when things are unfavorable (night). Meditate upon His Word and choose to follow Him.
Day 3
Scriptures: Philippians 4:12, Matthew 6:8, Deuteronomy 8:18, Luke 12:7
Abase And Abound.
”I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.“ Philippians 4:12 KJV
Paul declares and teaches us how to be abased and how to abound. How to sow and how to reap. How to lead and how to build. How to steward and how to give. Paul teaches us the responsibility of stewardship. Greed is self-based. Whereas stewardship is Christ-based.
The Amplified Version expounds upon Philippians 4:12 AMPC in the following manner: ”I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.“
Paul teaches us how to live a life that’s focused on God and not worshipping lack. When you worship lack—the gap may seem bigger than God. In fact, God is Lord over the lack. He is Lord over the gap and will fill every need.
For Matthew 6:8 KJV declares, “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.“ Be not like those who are greedy—those who are not satisfied with their portion.
For God gives wisdom to get wealth. For Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV declares, ”But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.“
Increase is in His Hands. Increase is under His Authority. “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.“ Luke 12:7 KJV. Even the hairs of your head are numbered. For God cares for you. Covet not another man’s portion.