THE GRIP OF GREED

Series: The Sinister Seven

How do I loosen greed’s grip on my generosity?

Luke 12:15–21 (ESV)
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.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” (Luke 12:34, ESV).

The Rich Fool.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15, ESV)

Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.

Generosity grows when I learn to trust God with an open hand.

1. GREED KEEPS A GRIP ON MORE THAN YOUR HANDS
“So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21, ESV)

Greed doesn’t stop with what is in your hand.

• Gets into your heart.
• Becomes idolatry.
• Creates false security.
• Damages relationships.
• Pulls your heart away from God.

Greed promises you a fuller life while quietly emptying your soul.

2. GENEROSITY DOES MORE THAN OPEN MY HAND
Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:31 (ESV)

“Gain all you can … Save all you can … Give all you can.” – John Wesley

Generosity Does Four Things

• Breaks Greed’s grip.
• Builds trust in God.
• Bends my heart.
• Becomes worship.

Generosity does more than change what I do with money. It ALSO changes what money is allowed to do with me.

3. GENEROSITY IS LIKE A MUSCLE. IT GROWS WHEN STRETCHED.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail… Luke 12:32–33 (ESV)

“Every time I gave, it broke the grip of materialism in my life.” – Rick Warren

How To Grow In Generosity

1. Make generosity a PRIORITY.

2. Make generosity PLANNED.

3. Make generosity a PATTERN.

4. Make generosity PRACTICAL.

5. Make generosity PROGRESS.