Word of the day

Giving is the only antidote to greed.

Jesus says, in Matthew 6:24, No one can serve two masters. Either 
he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and 

despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Jesus is making the point that our heart’s highest loyalty will be for only one thing. We can’t be equally devoted to two things; ultimately one will win out over the other.

If money is the most important thing to you (i.e., if you’re greedy), 
then you will serve your money more than you serve God. And you will find it 
very difficult to follow God’s instructions to give to others: If there is a poor 
man among your brothers … do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your 
poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he 
needs (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). If it’s true that no one can serve two 
masters, then the best way to fight against greed is to make sure that 
your master (your highest loyalty) is God—not money. Follow God above all else; that way your money will follow God, too.

John writes, If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in 
need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 
3:17). That sounds rather harsh at first, but it’s really no different than what 
Jesus said in Matthew 6:24. If you love your money more than God, then 
you’ll keep your money for yourself rather than giving it away to help others. 
The only way you’ll give generously to others is if you love God more than 
you love your money. So, how do you know if you love God more than 
money?

By examining what you do with your money: Do you keep most of it, 
or give most of it?
If you want to fight against greed (that is, if you want to love God more than 
your money), then you’ll follow God’s instructions to give—give to the poor, 
give generously, give joyfully, give liberally, and give regularly. Giving is the 
best weapon against greed.