The Greed Problem
He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;
nor he who loves abundance, with increase.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
When I was about 15 years old, I spent many hours in the library reading articles and books about social justice. I was troubled by the fact that so many have very little, while a few have much. I was trying to find out what form of government could best provide economic justice.
Through a better understanding of the Bible and after some experience of my own, I gradually began to see that human greed, not an economic system, is the culprit. A poor person may envy the rich and strive to gain great wealth, but if he succeeds, he discovers that he still wants more.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God expressed His grief over what greed did to His people (Isaiah 5:1-10). He loves justice, but He saw the rich oppress the poor. He loves righteousness, but He heard cries of distress from the lips of the wronged. And He pronounced judgement on the greedy who kept buying more and more with no concern for others, and never being content with what they had.
Bible Reading
Isaiah 5:1-10.
Prayer
Lord, grant me a thankful heart that is content and willing to share what I have with those less fortunate. In Jesus name I prayer. Amen.
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