Greed plays Gotcha with your soul. Going green is akin to stealing. It takes more than its share and robs a heart of generosity and compassion. 

Jesus was invited to an argument (verses 13, 14). He refused to get involved in the dispute between the two brothers. This is a good habit to develop. Instead, he provided a lesson for everyone, including the two brothers if they were willing to listen.

Greed is not good, he said.

Then he told a story about a rich man who became richer. His life so abundantly overflowed that he didn’t have room for all the blessings. That’s when he decided to build bigger containers and to “Eat, drink, and be merry!” (verse 19).

Then he died.

Then there was an issue of dividing up his estate. Who got what and how much? His own greed led to greedy grabbing by others. 

A rich heart toward God would have helped the rich man see that his generational wealth could be used to provide compassionate care and benevolence along with investment in the kinds of assistance that help people get on their feet and live productive lives. 

We can greedily use our resources to enrich ourselves or we can use our overflowing resources to enrich the lives of others. Whichever manner we choose to live, we model that lifestyle for others. Those who observe our character in action will in some measure decide how they form their own character. 

Consider today if your lifestyle leads people along the path of generosity or greed. Adjust as necessary. 

Remember Jesus’ bottom line: “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Or, as The Message puts it, “That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” 

Honorably earning wealth is good. It makes good things possible. It empowers us to live generously. A rich relationship with God keeps our perspective on wealth pure and purposeful. 

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I will live a life of rich generosity.

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Our Father, you have enriched many Americans like me far beyond kings of old. As you bless us with so much, make us an ever-greater blessing to others. Fill our hearts with compassion, our minds with wisdom, and our hands with gifts that build better lives. Give us Kingdom kindness. Deliver us from greedily grabbing for more. Amen.