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
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.