Prayer To Escape Greed's Trap

 ESCAPING GREED’S TRAP

Greed is that intense need inside us that has us always "grasping for more." It is just one item on a long list of things that make us foolish before God and vulnerable to trouble in this life. 

God reminds us:

Some people are greedy and never have enough. Good people are generous and have plenty. 

Proverbs 21:26

In some places in the Far East those who want to trap monkeys set a trap.  They prepare a small box with a tasty nut inside it and carve an opening just large enough for the monkey to put its hand inside but too small for the monkey to get its hand out if it's clenched into a fist.  The monkey won't let go of the nut in its clenched fist and so is easily captured. 

Too often we are greedy for something that is actually leading us to captivity and our unwillingness to let it go keeps us from being free. 

We are greedy when we want more than what we really need, whether it is power or money or toys or even everyday things like food.  It's the drivenness behind the feeling "It's never enough."  Whether it’s the perceived need for one more dollar or a million more dollars it’s the same character defect God wants us to deal with today.

This is what happens to those who are greedy. Whatever they get destroys them. Doing right sets honest people free, but people who can’t be trusted are trapped by their greed.  Proverbs 1:19, 11:6

Thank You God for promising to provide all we need so we can live well and do wonderful things.  Forgive us for the times we so easily slip into greed.  Help us to live life based on Your principles rather than on what we hear and see around us.  You promise to supply all our needs and we place our trust in You to do that today, and every day.  Amen