Verse of the Day 6/24

Luke 12:15  And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."    English Standard Version (ESV)

You hear much mentioned of Wall Street in today's news, it has often been a topic in speeches by this year's presidential candidates.  The statement made by Michael Douglas in the movie "Wall Street" comes to mind, where his character stated "greed is good".  Today's fairly long passage in Luke 15 deals with the topic.  The Bible teaches us how to overcome, how to defeat greed, seek His kingdom first (v.31) and to let goods and money go (v.33).  Not an easy thing to do.

Behind all of this there needs to be an awareness, as the verse says, we need to "be on guard" against greed and covetousness.  Greed it wanting desiring, hoarding wealth and possessions.  Covetousness is wanting, being jealous of and seeking ways of attaining what others have, no matter what it may cost.

That thought of "letting go" brought to mind the old hymn "A Mighty Fortress", in particular the fourth stanza which states:

That word above all earthly powers, 
no thanks to them, abideth; 
the Spirit and the gifts are ours, 
thru him who with us sideth. 
Let goods and kindred go, 
this mortal life also; 
the body they may kill; 
God's truth abideth still; 
his kingdom is forever.

The greed and covetousness is replaced by the Spirit and "the gifts", I take it the gifts or fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22).  

What is standing between us and a right relationship with God?  We are called to let them go and - " Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."   Luke 12:31English Standard Version (ESV)  Or as stated in The Message below, "Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself."

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Luke 12:31-32The Message (MSG)

^29-32 "What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.