And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15, NKJV
The Empty Pursuit of More
Greed.
It wears like an invisible cloak, blending seamlessly into the fabric of modern culture. It silently seeps into our desires, clouds our judgment, and distorts our values. Greed always seeks more—more validation, more status, more comfort, more things.
But the irony of greed is this: the more earthly possessions, status, or validation we gain, the more we are left dissatisfied.
In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns how this illusion of fulfillment through relentlessly collecting more blinds us to true contentment and purpose and is an empty pursuit:
“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.'”
True fulfillment doesn’t happen when we store up possessions or pursue unending comfort. True fulfillment is found when we’re anchored in contentment, gratitude, and a deep relationship with God that leads to seeking His kingdom and righteousness (Luke 12:31).
Where do you have an endless craving for more—more validation, more comfort, more possessions? Are there areas of your life where the constant pursuit of more might be overshadowing the pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness?
Note after sharing the devotional: As a member of Generation Y (I still will not refer to myself as a “millennial,” due to its negative connotation), I was born into a time of great prosperity (i.e. the Reagan presidency), grew up in a time of mostly great prosperity, even if my family’s finances did not quite match that of other families in my life. Although I did lack certain things that money cannot buy, I didn’t exactly lack things that money could. At the very least, I never had to worry about going hungry or being homeless (praise God!). But because of the time in which I was born into (and grew up in), and because of the prevailing lifestyles and attitudes of all those around me, I had a very stubborn expectation that, no matter what I suffered in childhood, it was all still going to work out in adulthood, and that I would still enjoy the same life and lifestyles that those in my parents’ generation enjoyed. Although I now understand on a larger scale that because of things outside my control, that will not happen in the same way (not saying my wife and I don’t and won’t have prosperity -- in Jesus’ name we will!), and that it will need to look different, I remember spending much of my young-adult years deeply pained that life wasn’t turning out even close to what I thought it was going to be at that point.
Nonetheless, Jesus makes a very firm point about the desire of riches in today’s highlight verse. Riches are temporal; contentment is a choice that we make regardless of what we have.
Jesus’s disciple Paul also makes two very firm points as well:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10, NKJV
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13, NKJV
The bottom line is, the love of money is the root of all evil, and choosing contentment is the key to obeying Jesus in being on guard for any and all types of greed. True fact, especially in my younger adult days: I often found myself being happier when I was poorer rather than richer. Not that I’m seeking to be in a place where I cannot make ends meet, but I found that having enough is enough. Having God is enough. Having Jesus is enough. I just pray I don’t forget that, because I have been guilty many times of forgetting, and while I’ve repented each time, the result of forgetting is not a good one.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33, NKJV
Prayer: Dear God, guard my heart against the endless craving for more. Help me find contentment beyond possessions. Help me to redirect my focus to seek Your kingdom and righteousness above all else. May my life reflect Your purpose and fulfillment. Amen.