Wondering About Greed - 2

As a young pastor I often got calls in sub-zero weather, during difficult storms, at night, and my old used vehicles sometimes didn't start.  I got to taking my battery into the house to keep it above freezing, then having to take it out in zero-degree weather (or below) and installing it in a vehicle so that i had a chance to start the car and go tend to whoever called.  Then I saved enough money to finance a brand new economy car!  Wow!!

I did, and justified it by realizing I could be a better pastor if I could dependably get to people who wanted or needed a pastor, day or night.  Was I being greedy?  Come on!  Why would a person need a new or newer car?  Isn't that just greed and pride talking?

I wondered that at the time, but I'm done wondering.  I think I made a wise choice.  I think most of my choices have been wise.  I continue to give generously to causes and institutions that do God's work, even those who don't advertise any "godliness".  I cannot remember pulling back on giving, ever, to feed a greedy streak of wants and desires.

When a neighbor gave me a set of dishes for feeding four people, I accepted them and entertained others.  Was I greedy to have more than one place setting?  Maybe I was.  Sometimes I didn't do dishes immediately and used a "spare" clean dish to save hot water .

Greed rears its ugly head, I think, when I fail to take others into consideration.  I have been blest with enough -- enough food, enough clothing, enough love, enough friends, enough books (through the libraries I have used, to be sure)(, enough dwelling-place.  Sometimes I want more.  I think that's natural.

Greed rears its ugly head, I think, when I dwell on the "More for me" and not on what I can offer to others.  That's a whole different blog, though, isn't it.  Just giving people "stuff" doesn't always meet their need, although it might in some cases.

What do you think about greed?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Wondering About Greed - 1

A bit more than a week ago our preacher talked about greed.  Her style was compelling, her illustrations good and her main points -- ho-hum.  So I got to thinking about greed.  I ask myself, "What do I know about greed?"

Here are a few of my thoughts as a faith-person, a thinking-person and a wondering-person.

First, greed is more than having more than survival possessions.  I recall reading about monastic orders in which, to conquer greed, no monk was allowed to own even his own clothing, certainly not his prayer book or Bible.  Did such rules conquer greed?  Maybe, but probably not.

So if a person owns more than one plate, one fork, etc., is that person greedy?  Maybe, but probably not.

If a person owns two pair of shoes, one for dress and one for outside work or walking, does that qualify as greed?

If a couple owns more than one car, instead of getting up early for work so one can take the other to work, etc., is that greed?

Can I distinguish between "wants" and "greed"?  Between "improving" and "greed"?  Between saving for retirement and greed?

Our preacher seemed to think that most of us own too much stuff, so we are greedy.  Maybe so, maybe not.  Have you ever tried to give stuff away?  It is really not easy.  I have a used laptop I'd like to give away, but the ARC truck won't take it.  I have a nice stuffed chair that swivels I would like someone to enjoy.  So far, no one wants it.  As we get closer to retirement we have to downsize.  Things we needed for kids and grandkids could be used by someone else.  Oh, wait!  Few people want pre-owned things.

So what does it mean to be greedy?  To update the furnace (it failed five days ago), or the car?  Are we greedy to do so?

I'll continue this in another blog article, but I wonder what you think?  Really THINK?  Leave your comment and let us know.