Tag Archives: Greed

Who are Our Samaritans?

Jesus’ Ministry
January 10, 2019

Scripture Reading: Acts 8:14-17

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

This seemingly simple activity report is loaded with meaning. The Samaritan were one of the most hated peoples for generations among the Jews. What does it take to move a people from hating to celebrating another group? I wonder how those who did not accept Jesus as the Christ thought about this transformation?

Allan W. Eckert’s The Winning of America series included a story he told about some Mennonites who established a good relationship with a group of Native Americans who accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and attempted to follow his guidance as they understood it. They understood that Jesus was a pacifist and thus war and discord with others was forbidden. This group was meeting in a round house when a group of white people entered the building and shot and killed each of the natives as they stood with hands folded in prayer. Two little boys escaped before they would have been shot and lived to tell the tale. I wonder how many times this story was repeated across this country when no one survived? I do not recall much about the shooters. They may even have been soldiers. They may have been professed Christians cleansing the world of pagans.

I am sad to say we still live in a world today where fear and bigotry, greed and lust for power works to rob us of the gifts of grace and love we find in Jesus Christ. Our work to do justice includes walking with those who are oppressed even when the oppression is coming from people who are a lot like us.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage of your love to stand with others being oppressed. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Cravings at War within Us

Living in the Spirit
September 21, 2018

Scripture Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. –James 4:3, 7-8

How much of the discord in our world today is the direct result of greed? I really had never thought about that until I read the above scripture. Surely, the answer is most discord is caused by greed. Is greed so entrenched in our individual beings we think it is normal behavior?

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Timothy 6:10)

The knowledge of the fact that humans can easily be seduced by the love of money tells us that we make a choice when we love anything more than God and we control the choices we make. The hope in that statement is that once we accept the realness of the power of the love of money over our very being, we can choose to refocus our love on God. The result will be the end of all kinds of evil.

Some examples taken from recent headlines might be helpful:

  • I am rich; therefore, I should not get the same sentence as the non-rich for the same crime or even be charged at all.
  • I am rich; therefore, I have sexual license to do anything I want to anyone I want at any time without consequence.
  • I am rich; therefore, I am rescued from natural disasters first even when I am in less peril than others.
  • I am rich; therefore, I can buy legislation that will support my getting richer to the detriment of many.

There is an alternative. Much good comes from the contributions of the rich to bettering the world. Jesus even indicated that is what he intended for them to do.

From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded. (Luke 12:48b)

Prayer: Forgive us, Lord, when we are overcome by greed. Guide our choices in how we used the abundance in our lives. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Selfish Ambition

Living in the Spirit
September 20, 2018

Scripture Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. –James 3:13-18

In the United States, an average 3 percent pay increase is predicted by Korn Ferry, the same as for 2017. Adjusted for the expected 2 percent inflation rate in 2018, however, the real wage increase is 1 percent—down from last year’s 1.9 percent*.

In the 1950s, a typical CEO made 20 times the salary of his or her average worker. Last year, CEO pay at an S&P 500 Index firm soared to an average of 361 times more than the average rank-and-file worker, or pay of $13,940,000 a year, according to an AFL-CIO’s Executive Paywatch news release today**.

The average Wall Street employee took home $422,500 last year, the most since the financial crisis, according to a new report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli…. The average compensation — salary plus bonus — was 13 percent higher than in 2016, according to the report. The average bonus on Wall Street in 2017 was $184,200, a 17 percent increase**.

In 2017 the poverty level in Oklahoma was 15.8% and the median income was $48,038***. According to the MIT living wage calculator, a living wage for a family of four with both parents working would require an income for each adult of $15.35 per hour working 40 hours per week and paid for 52 weeks which equals $63,856 a year. Thus, many of our citizens are surviving on less than a living wage****.

Prayer: Lord, I share just statistics this morning as I try to make sense of the world we live in today. Open our hearts and minds to the realities that selfish ambition is epidemic in our land. Empower us to work for a world were everyone has enough. Amen.

*https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/compensation/pages/2018-salary-forecast-us-global.aspx
**https://nypost.com/2018/09/17/the-average-wall-street-worker-made-more-than-600k-last-year/
*** https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/ok
**** http://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/40109

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Greed is Not Good

Living in the Spirit
September 3, 2018

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9, 22-23

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
   and favor is better than silver or gold.
The rich and the poor have this in common:
   the Lord is the maker of them all. –Proverbs 22:1-2

I was raised with the idea, particularly emphasized by my father, that my behavior reflected on family generations before me and following me. Perhaps that is what sparked my interest in genealogy. Not too surprising what I found was some outliers, a few famous a few infamous, but primarily good hardworking faith-driven folks. I was also raised with the sure and certain knowledge that all people are made in the image of God. I have dubbed my mother the first and greatest egalitarian for she modeled loving all God’s children rich or poor and those represented among all other dichotomies of diversity among people. The foundation of my parent’s philosophies is that we are each first and foremost children of God and our very being exists to honor God by the way we live God’s love with all God’s children.

I have not seen the movie Wallstreet but I am acquainted with a phrase from it, “Greed is Good” as I understand the movie portrays the epidemic of greed in our land. Greed is not good. It robs us of our individual identity to reflect God’s image as we strive to worship wealth accumulation rather than God. It robs us of following the commandment to love one another when our overwhelming desire for more always results in others having less than enough. There is nothing greater than the love of God.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art*

Prayer: Lord, remind me of the faith of my ancestors who knew the love of God in good times and bad and the legacy I will leave for my descendants when I am enticed by the temptations of the world. Amen.

*Chorus from How Great Thou Art by Carl Gustav Boberg see at https://hymnary.org/text/o_lord_my_god_when_i_in_awesome_wonder

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Greed Rots

Living in the Spirit
July 25, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 14
Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’
   They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
   there is no one who does good. 

 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind
   to see if there are any who are wise,
   who seek after God.

  They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;
   there is no one who does good,
   no, not one. 

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
   who eat up my people as they eat bread,
   and do not call upon the Lord?

 There they shall be in great terror,
   for God is with the company of the righteous.
You would confound the plans of the poor,
   but the Lord is their refuge. 

O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
   When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
   Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

I bore myself sometimes because I write so much about greed, yet I will continue to write a lot about greed until it is not a primary driver of behavior in our world today. I guess the real question is will that happen because we the people repent from the sin of greed or are destroyed from within because of the rotting side effects of greed? It is our choice.

The Psalmist above uses very graphic language describing greed.  Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord?

Today, I am going to yield anytime you might spend reading what I might have written to encourage you to read the Current US Poverty Statistics accessible below* and pray about them. While we brag about a low unemployment rate we have more people living in poverty. There is something very wrong with that picture.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us our foolish addiction to greed. Heal our souls. Help us build a society where everyone at least has enough. Amen.

*https://kairoscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Poverty-Fact-sheet-Jan-2017.pdf

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Greed

Lent
March 3, 2018

 Scripture Reading: John 2:13-22

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a market-place!’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’ –John 2:12-17

The story of Jesus clearing the temple appears near the end of the other gospels serving in some ways as the straw that broke the camels back. Religious leaders had had enough of Jesus’ teaching and this assault on the temple gave them a reason to bring him down.

John’s placing the temple clearing at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry seems to mark a first act that brought him to the attention of religious leaders. John was written about 20 years after the other three. He was dealing with a different generation who had other issues of concern. We need to remind ourselves routinely that the Bible is not chronological history per se, but theology illustrated with stories. This story tells of Jesus confronting head on one of our most pervasive sins, greed. The theme of greed’s impact on society as well as faith is scattered throughout our faith history up to and including today. The 1987 movie Wall Street added the phrase Greed is Good to our vocabulary since our society has normalized the acquisition of more.

As we individually examine ourselves throughout lent we must evaluate our relationship with money in all its aspects. What is enough* for me and my family? Finding through faith our answer to that question forms the foundation for our use of money. Setting out a plan to get our financial house in order is the best way to keep the tiger of greed away.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (1 Timothy 6:10)

We must also take the time to evaluate our communal response to greed as the church. How do we set our priorities in church? If we have investments to manage, do we oversee them ethically in support of justice?

Prayer: Lord, we are challenged at every turn in our lives by greed. Grant us the discipline to use our resources wisely in your service. Amen.

*A good resource for exploring the idea of enough is Adam Hamilton’s book Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity and study by the same name. Other equally accessible resources are also available.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Greed Addiction

Ordinary Time
January 18, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 62:5-10

Those of low estate are but a breath,
   those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
   they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no confidence in extortion,
   and set no vain hopes on robbery;
   if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. –1 Corinthians 62:9-10

God is magnanimous. having been made in the image of God, we are fully capable of being magnanimous too. So why aren’t we? And, why are we sometimes guilty of wrapping greed in sanctity?

Magnanimous means:
1. having, showing, or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind: devoid of meanness or          pettiness

2. showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit.

The Indian Removed of the 19th century dubbed Manifest Destiny was nothing, but greed run amok. Slavery, often justified by using Biblical quotes, provided labor that garnered greater profits for their owners. Today, companies not paying a living wage, reap the fruits of their employees’ labor driving the stock market to record highs while forcing their staff to rely on food stamps, Medicaid, and child care subsidies. Our society disparages people receiving these benefits. Private prisons, to make a profit, rely on an ample, and continuous stream of persons convicted of crimes and have little motive to rehabilitate them. The military industrial complex depends on war or the fear of war to be successful. And there is no question in my mind that our so-called immigration problem could be quickly solved if some folks weren’t profiting greatly off the backs of undocumented aliens.

So how do we move this mountain of greed and attain the abundance that Jesus desires for all of God’s children? A first step might be revisiting what that abundance looks like and what it means to have enough.

Regarding our epidemic of greed, faith groups universal must ascertain whether they are contributing to the problem through investments or even underpaying their staff. Individuals too would reap the benefits of examining their investments, attitudes, and behaviors. Justice requires us all to speak for those without voice or power.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get caught in the grip of greed. Show us ways to live your love in all aspects of our lives. Amen.

*http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/magnanimous

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Light

Christmas
January 1, 2018

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-8

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.  –Genesis 1:1-5

Starting a new year with the story of creation is fitting. Even more fitting, the story of creation starts with light. We are in the process of celebrating the Light of Christ coming into the world in human form. Light opens new doors of understanding as the dark shadows disappear and we see more clearly.

Our society is currently having problems processing that which is clearer now. We are more racist than we thought we were. Sexual harassment is more a norm than the exception. Greed and lust for power are replacing compassion and the Common Good.

Insight is the catalyst for change if we turn around from the negative drivers in our lives and seek God’s guidance in creating a world where all are welcomed and loved, and all have enough of life’s necessities to thrive and develop.

Racism is a form of creating hierarchies of worth to enhance one’s self-esteem. It too gets tangled with greed as it justifies our right to have more than another. Misogyny is lust for power again building up self-esteem by taking control of another.

For some reason, I had a lot of desserts left over from my Christmas dinner. I froze it in individual serving with the intention of eating some of it as a special treat over time. It now calls to me every time I pass the refrigerator enticing me to designate all times as special. Greed works that way as it takes over our lives. It whispers we deserve it even when it is ultimately bad for us. I guess we could say the same thing regarding lust for power.

Christ’s light is available for all to access shining forth to show us a better way of living. It is time we followed his light.

Prayer: Lord, protect us from being enticed by greed and lust for power. Show us your better way. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Fear Not Be Whole

Advent
November 29, 2017

Scripture Reading: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Restore us, O God;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts,
   how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
   and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
   our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved. –Psalm 80:3-7

This Psalm hits a little too close to home. Our allies no longer feel we are trusted partners. Thus they work together without us, dealing with trade and climate change. I image our enemies are laughing among themselves too. We can blame this situation on our elected leaders, but I think we need to look more closely in the mirror. We are the ones who elected them whether enthusiastically voting for them or failing to vote at all. Greed and lust for power run through every fiber of our society from the poorest to the richest, the weakest to the strongest.

We have lost our way. Our compass seems broken. In C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Edmund, the younger brother, follows the Wicked Witch into evil enticed by an ample supply of Turkish Delight. What entices us from following Christ? What is lacking in our lives that we are willing to fill the gap with anything but the right thing? I think I know deep in my heart what is right most of the time; I just do not want to do it. Why? I think part of it is my own stubborn desire to be in control when everything about me seems out of control. Fear often drives the need to control drives. Evil strikes at the moments we are most vulnerable. We see it in toddlers as they try to assert their autonomy. Apparently, we retain some of that need for independence all of our life. As adults, we just channel it differently. We follow one who commands us to Fear Not.

How do we reconcile wholeness and independence? Where does interdependence or oneness fit in our lives? Finally, how do we square personal desires with God’s justice? We are made whole through our relationship with Jesus Christ as we are made one with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Once we accept Christ, we accept the call to do justice. We can never view the world again from isolated autonomy what is right for me must also be right for all God’s other children.

Prayer: Lord, make us whole so that we can be full partners in your mission of a world ruled by love where there is no fear. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Role Models

Living in the Spirit
November 19, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” –Matthew 25:24-30

I will admit that I see the world uniquely, some might say peculiarly. When I read the words above, I instantly thought the man who hid his talent reminded me of the very wealthy citizens of the USA who work so hard to avoid paying taxes, investing their time and energy in exploring tax loopholes or moving their money to offshore accounts. They prefer to buy politicians rather than invest their wealth in improving their country. The other parable that applies here is The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). The church may contribute to their delinquency as it craves the mite the rich might toss its way. Of course, there are the Warren Buffett’s of the world who seem to gain joy from their philanthropy.

Perhaps the greatest problem with the example, of those who hoard their wealth, is the rest of us see them as role models. If we become just like them will we be rich and famous too? Greed causes much of the grief in our world today. Christ as a role model gives generously of himself and thrives on the wellbeing of others.

Prayer: Forgive us, O Lord, when we chase after the ways of the world rather than following your example. Guide and direct us to follow you more nearly. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.