“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
Jesus cautioned us about the dangers of greed and worldliness. He wanted us to avoid giving way to doubt or succumbing to temptation when we see the alluring temptations of the world and the prosperity of the unbeliever. Those who are greedy, it seems, always seem to get what they want and to enjoy it. Yet greed is a great destructive force that afflicts almost everyone even Christians. It is a sin which the Lord desires that we shun for “You shall not covet” is what He commands. Yet we are too influenced by the ways and trends of the world that assault us through the media to heed this command. When we look at others prospering, when we hear the alluring words of those who proclaim that fulfillment is found in sensuality, we are tempted to compromise, to want what everybody else has. It is so easy to sin when we buy into the lie that we are missing out on the important issues of life.
Jesus reminds us that the life He gives us is the most important issue of existence, not money, fame or sensual pleasure. Jesus tells us that as long as we trust Him, we should not worry or fret because He will supply us with everything we need. So when we think about how we are to spend God’s money and use the talents and resources He has given us, we must not copy the ways of the world. Neither must we serve our own desires. We should always be mindful that since we have been called into God’s kingdom we must then carry out the work He has given us with gladness and peace. The entire resources of His kingdom are at our disposal. We are to use those resources not to glorify ourselves or increase our personal prosperity or prestige but build His kingdom, not ours.