Are you led by your Flesh by being greedy or by the Spirit of God and acting with Grace?

The spirit of mammon (2)

Greed or Grace?

Are you allowing your flesh to rule your life or your spirit?

Flesh is always greedy for more. Galatians 5:19-26

Spirit can be content with little or lots. Philippians 4:5-20,

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge,

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law happy is he.

Ephesians 1:17-20 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

Greed – Covetousness – to lust after, to have more, to have what belongs to others or is unlawful, can involve being cruel and grasping as well as miserly and stingy.

Sense of ungratefulness, superiority, and entitlement, of being insensitive and uncaring towards others and their needs.

Grace – Charis – Gratefulness and contentment and willing to give generously, thoughtful and sensitive, a friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, loving kindness, to bestow goodwill.

2 Kings 4:8 – 17 Shunamite woman

(a) Hospitality - Friendly towards visitors v8

(b) Humility - Great Woman served food v8

(c) Referred - How she spoke of Elisha v9

Accuser of the brethren – Eagle raisers at Northampton

Spirit of grace – speaking well of someone, sign of gratitude and grace

(d) Ministered - Provided for Elisha's needs continuously v10

Provision – fore-seeing someone's needs

(e) Cared - not seeking reward v13

Living in covenant with her neighbours and was not looking for outside help.

(f) Received - Prophet's reward – His word v16

The reward for honouring a prophet is to receive His word.

Let's repent of any area of greed and ungratefulness in our lives and ask the Lord to bestow more grace upon us.