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.
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