GOD OWNS by Benny Ho Chapter 4 "The Danger of Greed"

6 Characteristics of Greed

1. Greed is Hidden

- Greed dwells in secrecy and is often unknown to those around us. The covetousness that is inside is known only to God and to us.

2. Greed Rationalises

- Greed will always give us a reason for wanting to possess or accuumulate more.

- It can be hard to draw the line between need, greed and providence. Greed can very qucikly turn a luxury into a need.

- We require honesty and discernment to overcome this tendency to rationalise.

3. Greed is Compulsive

- Greed can never be satisfied. The more you get, the more you want.

- Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5-6

- In God's eyes, greed is not a small thing. In fact, it is tantamount to idolatry. Once we bow our knees to mammon, we will be enslaved.

- It is not just the rich who can be greedy; the poor can be greedy too.

- It is not what you do or do not have; it is the condition of your heart and your attitude towards money and possessions.

4. Greed is Deceptive

- Greed can cause us to scheme and deceive others in a bid to gain something for ourselves.

5. Greed Distorts

- Greed is able to distort our value system, and causes us to betray others.

- Greed is calculating, while love is extravagant.

6. Greed Destroys

- 1 Timothy 6:9

CHOOSE CHRIST!

- 1 John 3:17

- We have to dethrone the god of mammon and pull down the stronghold of greed in our lives.

- For some, God might be challenging you to increase your giving. Giving not only in terms of finances, but also time and talents.

- For others, God might be challenging you to confront materialism and greed. The best way to dethrone greed is to be generous. Go in the opposite spirit! Give like you have never given before!

- Yet even for some, God might be challenging you to take an even greater step of faith. He is not only demanding that you give, but you surrender your source of giving to Him. In other words, He wants you to surrender your wealth as well as the opportunity for future income through your career by serving Him full-time in the ministry.

- You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all that you have.

- Whatever God is challenging you to do, do not fear because you will be surrendering your resources to the One who gave them to you in the first place.

- God will never short-change His people.

- Let us resolve not to miss God's best because of greed but to pursue Christ with all that we have.