When greed is good

Reflection

We certainly don’t want to be labeled as a greedy person.  We want to be known as giving and generous.  But we can never get away from the pull of greed in our life.  Is there ever a good greed?  I think so.  I’m not talking about the greed for things or influence or importance.  

 I’m thinking about a healthy greed to strive for bodily, intellectual and spiritual growth.  Perhaps this “good greed” will help us push away the force of selfish greed and move us into a healthy striving to eat the right food and get exercise.  This greed will help us read good books and enter into challenging discussion.  Most importantly, this greed will make us hungry to spiritual growth my reading, praying and meditating.

Scripture

Luke
Chapter: 12

A Rich Fool

¹³A man in a crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of what our father left us when he died." 
¹⁴Jesus answered, "Who gave me the right to settle arguments between you and your brother?" 
¹⁵Then he said to the crowd, "Don't be greedy! Owning a lot of things won't make your life safe." 
¹⁶So Jesus told them this story:

A rich man's farm produced a big crop,   ¹⁷and he said to himself, "What can I do? I don't have a place large enough to store everything."
¹⁸Later, he said, "Now I know what I'll do. I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I can store all my grain and other goods.   ¹⁹Then I'll say to myself, 'You have stored up enough good things to last for years to come. Live it up! Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.' "
²⁰But God said to him, "You fool! Tonight you will die. Then who will get what you have stored up?"
      "This is what happens to people who store up everything for themselves, but are poor in the sight of God."

Prayer

Lord, stand with me in my natural inclination to be greedy.  Help me to turn my unhealthy selfishness to a hunger for health in my body, intellectual enrichment and spiritual depth.  Amen.