Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Greed as Idolatry

"So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion, evil desire, and greed which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5, NET)
If it is true that we are idolaters at heart, then according to this verse, it could be said that we're all greedy by nature. Of course, like any sin, there will be different degrees and different expressions in different people. But, to say that we are not greedy or "covetous" (ESV) people is a dangerous position to be in, because such sentiments often proceed from the lofty perch of delusional self-righteousness.

Of course, when one thinks of "greed", inevitably the first thing to come to mind is materialism. Certainly, this is warranted, but the Greek word literally carries the connotations of "the state of desiring to have more than one's due", and thus is variously translated as "greediness, insatiableness, avarice, covetousness." (BDAG, 824)

And so, "greed" might express itself in things like coveting (or being jealous of others if they have) a better job, a better house, a better vehicle, or a better smartphone; greedy people have an unhealthy craving to gain a greater measure of attention or approval or applause from others; they might desire more safety and security and serenity from the things of this earth than God has permitted.

Ultimately, this heart idol comes from and is fueled by a lack of satisfaction in all that God is for us in Christ (Paul's main argument in his letter to the Colossians).

Because of God's creation purposes, we have indeed been made with desires - good desires. We were made to long for God, and the identity, security, and rest that flows from a proper relation to our Creator.

But because of sin, these desires have become crooked and corrupt, depraved and distorted, and now are unruly and tyrannical slave-masters. The result: instead of being thankful for the gifts of creation the Creator has given us (which were given to point us to Him in worship and thankfulness [e.g. 1 Tim. 4:3b-5; 6:17b), we now desire - even slavishly crave - the gifts more than the Giver (see Rom. 1:21-23, 24-25, and 29 [note how "greed/covetousness" is near the top of the list]).

I wish I could say that once we trust in Christ and are converted, that this pernicious and persistent propensity towards the accumulation and guarding of 'stuff' is immediately and forever eradicated. But this didn't happen to the early believers in the Bible (see also Eph. 5:3, 5), and so we should not be overly surprised that we so often find this perpetual battle waging in our own hearts. [Un]fortunately, these desires have been divinely impressed upon the hearts of humanity, and so we cannot simply turn them off like a switch: we cannot not stop our hearts from desiring and seeking satisfaction and pleasure; we cannot not stop being worshipers. In the words of Paul, we cannot eliminate worship; we can only "exchange" it. And inevitably, we exchange it with a worship of self. (see Rom. 1:22-23)

The first thing we must do, then, is ruthlessly wage war to [re]direct the gaze of our hearts heavenward, which is precisely what Paul instructs us to do in the preceding verses (notice that the first word of Col. 3:5 is "so" ["therefore" in the ESV]).

Amazing! Christ is our life. Not stuff. Not bigger barns. Not notoriety or popularity or "likes" on Facebook, or retweets on Twitter, or pins on Pinterest. Christ is our life. And He is infinitely more glorious and glory-full than any of the counterfeits this world could ever produce or entice us with.

Too many of us as Christians are content with being satisfied with the unsatisfying glories of this world.

So, how can we do battle with the immense gravitational pull of the things of this earth that wrestle and vie for our unwavering allegiance? The answer is in the context.
"Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Col. 3:1-3, NET)
Dear Christian, if your life is characterized by spending all your time and talents and treasures on yourself, then you simply are not looking "above". And if we are not looking heavenward to Christ, we will inevitably look horizontally to self. Life will be more about striving to acquire more stuff, instead of striving to rest more in all that we have and are - in Christ.

The illustration by C.S. Lewis could not be more fitting to close:
"It would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
Or, in the words of John Piper, "sin [e.g. greed] is what happens when our hearts are not satisfied with Christ." The more our hearts are satisfied in Christ, the less they will be satisfied in idols.

Dear listener, are you struggling with the idol of greed? Then slay it with the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ your Lord more.

If this is a struggle, ask the Father right now to help you by the power of the Holy Spirit to look to His Son that you might truly live.

May His grace free us from the shackles of selfishness, that we might better imitate the generosity He has shown us in Christ. May we give less to ourselves, and more for the purposes of advancing His kingdom on earth.

Perhaps you can prayerfully consider a God-honoring budget that verifies that you are seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Perhaps you could prayerfully consider sponsoring a missionary or Compassion child. Perhaps there is a need in your church that you could meet.

This little blurb was 'inspired' by the following video by David Matthis. It is only 10 minutes. It gets really practical after the four minute mark. I wholeheartedly recommend it for you to watch.

All I Have Is Christ

In Christ, and for His glory to the ends of the earth.
Pastor Ryan