Friday, January 15, 2016

The Lottery


"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed" Luke 12:15. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness" 2 Peter 1:3.

So many aspire to "winning" the lottery and other forms of gambling. They see the jackpot as the answer to their problems. What a contrast to the Lord's straightforward instruction in our first verse. "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed"

Jesus continues to speak to those who will listen: "Watch out!", He warns. That should get our attention. The word used means "to discern clearly". We sure need that don't we? What lack of discernment is used by those who stand in long lines hoping their "investment" will bring them the illusory pot of gold promised by the lottery. We need to be on our guard. Greed is an insidious form of idolatry Colossians 3:5, which many maturing believers battle against.  The world screams in our ears in a variety of ways, "YOU DON"T HAVE ENOUGH!"

But God says in His Word, "My grace is sufficient" 2 Corinthians 12:9 and "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" 2 Peter 1:3. I especially find richness in the phrase "everything we need". Who will you believe today?

Is the "everything we need" that was absolutely sufficient for Peter's original readers also sufficient for us who live in 2016?