Jesus is not my personal problem solver. He is not Judge Judy. This is not The People’s Court. 

Jesus is not interested in settling your scores. He’s not your muscle who roughs up people until they see things your way. 

Until we see Jesus for who he is, we will be tempted to use him as a good-luck charm. We will wear crosses for the same reason some people carry rabbit’s feet and four-leaf clovers. 

Greed grasps. Jesus gives.

Greed controls. Jesus releases.

Greed clings and clutches. Jesus embraces and empowers.

Jesus is more interested in people than possessions. People endure forever. Diamonds, contrary to the advertising slogan, do not. 

Consider the man in the crowd who shouted at Jesus seeking his intervention and the man’s brother who apparently held the lion’s share of the inheritance. All of those possessions are long gone and untraceable. Those two men will exist forever. 

Jesus doesn’t have scores to settle; He has people to save. 

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I will see the people behind the problems and seek their salvation and restoration.

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Our Father, please drive greed out of my heart. Keep my focus on people, not possessions. Empower me to seek everyone’s highest and best. Protect me from the distraction of all those things which will not endure forever. Amen.