GRATITUDE OR GREED?

Aesop was a Greek slave who became famous for writing a number of intriguing fables. One of his stories involved a dog and a bone.

He once told the story of a dog that was crossing a bridge carrying a bone in its mouth. Seeing his reflection in the water beneath him, he thought that the bone in the mouth of the “other dog” was larger.

In his greed, he opened his mouth to try to snatch the bigger bone from the other dog. However, when he opened his mouth, he dropped his bone into the water. Then he had nothing – for the water in the stream carried the bone to the river and then into the sea.

Paul compares people who are greedy with those who are immoral and impure and assures his readers that they will not inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. In fact, he says, “greedy people are actually idolaters” – and indeed they are. An idolater is one who worships and wants “things” more than they do God. Sadly, this lifestyle leads to the worship of things, and the “things” above and beyond the worship of God.

It is not wrong to want nice things. But if we want nice things more than we want God, it takes our minds away from Him and changes our priorities to the things of this world. As Christians, we must be careful to focus our minds and place our thoughts on Heaven with Jesus.

Prayer:  Give us discerning minds and faithful hearts, Father, to desire those things that are best for us. May we be careful and cautious at all times to honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:   You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:5