Get Off the Bench and Back in the Game

Greed begins in us quite innocently. Just a thought. A desire for something.

Recognition.
Popularity.
Power.
A better job.
Wealth.

And the reasons for our desires are easily justified. In fact, quite proper.

We would be asked to sing the National Anthem at the football game.
We would be picked to serve on the Student Council.
We would be able to put the neighborhood bully in his place.
We would be able to give more money to the church.

Just dreams. Good ones. Not bad ones. Goals all of us should set for ourselves. Perhaps.

But when does an innocent dream for something begin to change into greed for something? When we begin to believe that we must make our dream become a reality. When we convince ourselves that we must have it. By our very nature, a desire can easily become our master. Our time, energy, resources and even our morality and convictions can be subtly torn from the things in life that really count and be sacrificed upon the altar of greed often without our even realizing what is happening. And when the dream is finally achieved, we are still left feeling unfulfilled. The late John Paul Getty, recognized as one of the world's richest men, was once asked, "How much does it take for a man to be satisfied?"

He replied, "Just a little bit more." Such is our dilemma. Our dreams are illusive. The fulfillment of our dreams often leaves us feeling unfulfilled.

In offering some sound advice, Jesus admonished His followers to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first, and the other necessities of life like things to eat, drink and wear would be added to them. Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus did not condone self-serving attitudes. Greatness in God's kingdom is a matter of generosity and submitting to God's way of doing things. This is the action that brings eternal reward. The primary goal of God's children should not be to live excessively. Instead, our focus should be on living lives as ministers of the Gospel in the world, serving one another.

A number of years ago, I taught a Bible study class at a low security satellite camp for persons who committed minor offenses. One of the Christian brothers who faithfully attended, was a man I called Big John because he was massive in size compared to myself. He always flashed a wide grin and had the joy of the Lord in his heart.

One day I asked him if he had been a Christian prior to his sentence. He replied that he had been, but not a good one. He told me he had stopped following the leading of the Lord in his life.

As a result, he eventually found himself deeply entangled in a life of debauchery and sin. I asked him what he felt was the primary cause for his fall. He looked at me intently, then replied, "Greed."

John had gradually built several successful businesses in his area. Scrap metal. Dump trucks. Fire extinguisher sales and maintenance. In time his love for God became sacrificed for greed, for wealth and pleasure, nightclubs and women.

As part of this exchange, an opportunity came along for him to contract and arrange big name entertainment events in prominent cities. On a typical weekend, he could clear as much as ten thousand dollars. He began living high and dangerously.

Then John made the mistake of loaning an employee a sizeable sum of money that the employee needed to use to cover a drug deal. Authorities, suspicious of drug trafficking, had bugged John's office. Although John had never taken or sold drugs personally, he became implicated in criminal activity and was sentenced to serve time.

But John had a vibrant testimony. He explained that although he suffered much financial loss, he was grateful that he had been sentenced. During his confinement, he rededicated his life to the Lord and began to take Bible correspondence courses. He showed me nine certificates he had received for courses already completed. Then he told me in sincerity, "I know if the Lord hadn't stopped me in my pursuit of evil, I would have AIDS by now. I have much to thank God for."