Greed Weed – Ephesians 5:3-7 (NIV)

Greed Weed – Ephesians 5:3-7 (NIV)

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

We are meant to follow God’s example and live a life of love as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us. Paul mentioned a few examples specifically: greed, obscenity, foolish talk and equates these types of people as idolaters.

The contrast of living in thanksgiving to idolatry is clear. Who you thank, is who you worship: God or yourself. If you are your god, you have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ.

I believe, yes, we all are fallen and fail at times. I believe the Bible, in these cases, is referring to someone who is unrepentant and lives, at their core, a life of godless self-worship.

I love how he warns us not to be deceived. By whom? Seemingly those who would claim there is no wrong in these things. Or someone who would say these things go along with a godly life.

It might seem like a stretch to say that if you have any greed you aren’t saved. That’s not really what it’s saying (also don’t be deceived in that either). But greed as a way of life is very telling. Telling as to who you serve, worship and trust.

And how we use our words is similar. Do we praise and give thanks to Him? Or are our words offensive and obscene? Words are drawn from the well of our soul. The book of James tells a lot about where words come from and what they can do.

Again, no one is perfect, but a life of selfish, obscene words and actions serving a person and denying God. Words and actions that show the heart should be observed. They are telling. Take these things seriously. Look for them in yourself and root out the cause quickly when you find them.

The greed weed roots quickly and can be difficult to get rid of. It can go unnoticed for a bit or misidentified as ambition or discipline. Chances are you won’t be the second person (after Christ) to live perfectly so don’t kid yourself. When you see a sign of it, pull that greed weed.