Virtues and Vices: Part 6 - 'Greed'

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Luke chapter 12 verses 13 - 21

Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’
Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’
And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.”
‘Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’”
‘But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
‘This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich towards God.’

Proverbs chapter 11 verse 24

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.


Prayer and Reflection:

Creator God, you have made us with the capacity to be self-aware, and to think through what’s important, what we want to devote our lives to.
Loving God, forgive us for the times when we have been greedy. Help us to know more of you, and to share with other people the love and grace that you offer us.
Redeeming God, thank you that you love us, and forgive us. Thank you that in your great mercy and power, you work through all things for good, even when it seems impossible for us. In our weakness, may we find strength in our communion with you and with these friends, your people. Help us live our lives wisely and well, to your glory, O God.

Amen.


Questions to Consider

1. Can you think of time when someone else was greedy? What was the situation and how did it make you feel?
2. Can you think of a rich person who is/was also very greedy? As you think about their wealth, their greed, their life… would you trade places? If so, what would do differently with the money?
3. Is there anything you would admit to being greedy with? Or a time when you acted in a greedy way? If you could turn back time, what would do in the replay?
4. What’s important, really important, in your life? Take some time to reflect on that.
5. How might the answer to question 4 inform any changes in your life? Any habitual patterns that seem, on reflection, to be greedy? How will you go about changing?
6. What does your generosity look like? How does it play out in your life, in terms of time, money, kindness?
7. Who is on the receiving end (for better or worse!) of your greed… and your generosity?