I have been reflecting recently on my attitude towards money and material possessions. The Free Will Baptist Board of Retirement, where I work, educates people on the importance of saving. It is a good thing to have an emergency fund, save for retirement, and invest your money wisely to get the greatest returns.
While it is not wrong to buy things for yourself and your family with the hard-earned money you make, we must be sure we are not seeking to satisfy our hearts with money and what it can buy. The questions become: are we asking too much of money? When is enough, enough? Has our pursuit for more turned into greed?
Living a life without greed is a noble pursuit. Not only is it a noble pursuit, but it is also central to our Christian tradition. At its core, living without greed means prioritizing values such as contentment, generosity, and selflessness over the relentless pursuit of material wealth or power. We see this taught repeatedly in the Scriptures.
One of the most well-known verses regarding greed comes from the book of Luke, where Jesus cautioned, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). This teaching from Jesus encapsulates the Christian perspective on greed, emphasizing that true fulfillment and purpose are not found in material possessions. They can only be found in Jesus. From a biblical perspective, how can one live a life without greed? Here are four key principles and practices to consider.
Contentment: Cultivating contentment is foundational to overcoming greed. First Timothy 6:6 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” We learn from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4 to be content whatever the circumstances. Contentment stems from a deep understanding that true satisfaction comes from a relationship with God, rather than from money, possessions, or achievements. The key to contentment is gratitude. Gratitude for what one has can foster contentment and diminish the desire for more.
Generosity: Generosity is a hallmark of Christian living. Jesus demonstrated this virtue through the things He taught and did. He encouraged His followers to give freely to those in need, without expecting anything in return. By living generously, Christians acknowledge God’s provision in their lives and participate in His work of reconciliation and redemption.
Stewardship: The most foundational truth relating to stewardship is everything belongs to God. Understanding this can help Christians adopt a mindset of stewardship rather than ownership. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the importance of responsibly managing the resources God has entrusted to us. Instead of hoarding them out of greed, we are called to use them wisely for the glory of God and the betterment of our culture.
Detachment: Christians need to learn how to live with a certain detachment from this world. This involves holding our “stuff” loosely, recognizing the transient nature of possessions, and prioritizing eternal treasures and values. Jesus teaches us, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matthew 6:19-20). Shifting our focus from earthly treasure to heavenly treasure can loosen the grip of greed.
Greed undermines our relationship with the Lord. It distracts us from God, leads to spiritual emptiness, and conflicts with our Christian values. To live a life without greed, we should embrace the values of contentment, generosity, stewardship, and detachment from this world. Doing so will help cultivate a more fulfilling and meaningful life for us and those to whom we are called to minister.
This article was previously posted in the August/September 2024 edition of ONE Magazine.
