Devotional Thought

Closing the Door on Greed

A middle-aged school teacher invested her life savings in a business which had been elaborately explained to her by a swindler. When her investment disappeared and the wonderful dream was shattered, she went to the office of the Better Business Bureau. “Why on earth,” they asked, “didn’t you come to us first? Didn’t you know about the Better Business Bureau?”

“Oh, yes,” said the lady sadly, “I’ve always known about you. But I didn’t come because I was afraid you’d tell me not to do it.”

We all have avoided seeking advice for fear it might disagree with our intended course. Sometimes we seek advice only out of courtesy, andthen go our own way anyway. Our minds have been made up long ago, and little can be done to persuade us otherwise. It isn’t what we want. That is the key — what we want!

Our natural tendencies toward greed are keys on Satan’s key ring. When he needs to gain access to our souls, he simply inserts thoughts into the key hole of our minds about what we don’t need or shouldn’t have. Over time he makes us think we are miserable because we don’t have them.

God is well aware of this problem. He has sent up his own kind ofBetter Business Bureau, the Bible. It is a valuable resource when we are confused by the messages we hear so often. In the Bible we find clear, sound, and wise advice concerning our faith and the way we are to live.

An example is in Luke, where Jesus says: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (12:15).

In the Bible we find advice straight from God, particularly about spiritual matters.

After pointing out that his heavenly Father knows our human needs, Jesus says: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

We may not become rich, but we will be content as we trust in Jesus. He wants us to have eternal life.

Join us each and every Sunday to find out more about the Savior and to seek the wise counsel of God. Then we may “change the locks” on Satan!