The grass is not the only thing turning green. The world of sports is showing us very clearly how much greed devours our society. We have hardly settled down from the shock of astronomical salaries being paid to baseball players. Now, during this time of “free agency”, the football players are making headlines with huge salaries. Allegiance to certain teams, once a sure thing, has been neutralized as players jump from one team to another, going to the highest bidder.
Baseball players, already richer by far than the average person, can threaten to go on strike for more money. And since sports is such a big industry in our country, the trickle down effect is great. That greedy people can evoke sympathy getting rich is a phenomenon in itself.
Want to hear what God says about greed? Proverbs 15:27 (NIV) says “a greedy man brings trouble to his family.” Proverbs 21:25-26 (NIV) says “the lazy man’s greed will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work, all day he covets greedily”. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy that a sign of a mature man is that he is not greedy for money. (1 Timothy 3) Greed has the effect of generating a class-conscious society where success is determined by the kind of house you live in, the kind of car you drive, and the brand-name clothes you wear. Greed kills sensitive concern for your fellow man.
This greed is in stark contrast to the life of Jesus where liberality and giving to others is clearly proclaimed and exemplified by Jesus. Jesus went so far as to say even if your enemy asked you for help, give to him liberally. (Luke 6:30) Maybe the reason the sport’s scene is so distasteful to some of us is because we wish we had that kind of financial power and leverage. If it would force all of us to do something about our own greediness, that would be good.
The next time you are overcome with feelings of greed, even in Church, think of Jesus who had “no place to lay His head”.
“Father God, we all know that we can’t take money with us when we
leave this world. Enlighten us to use money wisely and helpfully. Amen”
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