The Problem of Greed

           


         Lately  I have been thinking a lot about the economic situation in our country and also globally.

I have been  learning  about   socialism and capitalism and why people hold these  views.

 I  now believe that  neither of these viewpoints are a real solution to the economic  crisis we are

 facing and they are really not all that different from each other.



     Capitalism claims to  put industry and trade into the hands of private individuals instead of into

 the  hands of the government. But ultimately the government puts regulations on what can and can

 and can not be done. The rich sit on top and the poor get nothing.  The wealthy people are the

people with the most influence in society and they "rule the world."



On the other hand we have socialism which claims to give everyone an "equal distribution of

wealth." But once again the government is the one who gives out the wealth and regulates spending.

This obviously does not cure the problem either. Those on top are still on top. Russia is an example

and so is France. Both of these countries abolished their monarchies in the interests of the people and

then they got something worse called anarchy. After anarchy comes  absolute government control.


 Taxation  is supposed to guarantee those in need public services  but

it does not always work that way. Private citizens are   funding President Obama's little golfing

expeditions  and private citizens are also funding unnecessary government research projects like

landing on Mars.


The big issue is Greed. Greed in the world and greed creeping into the Church of Christ. Jesus said

in the bible that we can not "serve both God and Money." Tolkien's Novel the Lord of the Rings is

really a an allegory about power corruption and Greed. Jesus talks about the Pharisees devouring

widows houses in the name of doing God's work.  Jesus also  said he desires compassion and not

sacrifice! The idea that God needs your money to do this and that is wrong and simply not biblical.

I was talking about this very matter with someone and that very evening during my devotional time

with God I read these verses from Hebrews without even knowing that they would directly apply to

what we were discussing. Hebrews 13:5 says, " Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with

what you have. For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.'" This verse sums it

up so well. The reason why we have poor people is because of the Greed of mankind. We can not

be simply content with what we have and the blessings that God has given to us. We must get the

latest this or the latest that.  We should instead  be looking to God as our provider. Being grateful is

part  of the solution.  The other part of the solution can be found in verse 16. Verse 16 says, "Don't

forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are pleasing  to

God."  This is an imperative command! We must help those who are in need. This does not mean

we throw away our money with our eyes closed... this means we are a blessing and help to those

around us in need on a daily basis.


      So the answer to the problem would be  really quite simple. But we are no longer the Christian

nation we once were. 1) If we are Christians than we should be obeying God's word which teaches

us to be a) grateful for what we do have and b) provide for those in need around us. 2) If we do

this, God  will bless us and take care of us. Selflessness is opposite of Greed and in a

world sinking in moral decay... our best bet as believers is to follow what the bible says in our own

lives and let that be a witness to those around us. With Christmas upon us... let's remember

the ultimate gift of God's love which was sending Jesus to us. We can go further this holiday season

by giving instead of constantly getting. I mentioned briefly the Lord of the Rings. I would like to

finish this blog by posting a rather long quote from that book. This quote was spoken by the Lady

Galadriel. Galadriel was a beautiful and powerful lady who did much good... but even she realized in

her best good if she possessed the ring she would still fall under the weight of Greed. If we ever

think we are beyond greed and human nature... we should think again. The ring should be given to

God... no mere man can shoulder the burden.

"“And now at last it comes. You will give me the Ring freely! In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!”

She lifted up her hand and from the ring that she wore there issued a great light that illuminated her alone and left all else dark. She stood before Frodo seeming now tall beyond measurement, and beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful. Then she let her hand fall, and the light faded, and suddenly she laughed again, and lo! she was shrunken: a slender elf-woman, clad in simple white, whose gentle voice was soft and sad.

“I pass the test”, she said. “I will diminish, and go into the West and remain Galadriel."  JRR TOLKIEN'S LORD OF THE RINGS

One final question.... Will you pass the test?