November 24, 2025

The Trap of ‘Just a Little More’

"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.'"
Luke 12:15 (NIV)

Greed doesn't knock on your door. It sneaks in quietly, dressed like wisdom. It whispers about being safe and planning ahead. Before you know it, you want more and more. You never feel satisfied. The Greek word for greed is pleonexia. It means "wanting to have more." It's a disease where enough is never enough. Jesus warns us to guard against it.

Think of a child holding toys in both hands. Someone offers him something better, but he can't take it. His hands are too full. This is how greed works. We fill our hands with stuff we own. We fill our time with chasing more. When God offers us something better, we can't receive it. Our hands are already full.

Greed is sneaky because it sounds smart. You don't wake up thinking, "I want to be greedy." Instead, you think, "I just need more for retirement." Or, "Once I get that raise, I'll relax." Or, "If I had their money, I'd be happy." The goal keeps moving. The finish line keeps shifting. What you thought would bring peace becomes a trap.

Jesus says greed comes in "all kinds." It's not just about money. Greed shows up when you hoard your time. It appears when you protect your comfort. It whispers when you guard your reputation. Greed is any form of "more" that replaces God. It puts something else in His place.

Here's the test: What are you gripping too tight? What would crush you if God asked you to let go? That thing might control your heart. Jesus isn't against owning things. He's against things owning you. He warns you because He loves you. Greed promises joy but gives emptiness. It promises safety but creates worry. It promises life but leads to death.

Godseekers, the cure for greed isn't being poor. It's seeing clearly. Life doesn't come from owning a lot. It comes from knowing God, loving people, and investing in forever. When you see your stuff through God's eyes, you find freedom. The question isn't "How much do I have?" The question is "Whose am I?" You belong to a Father who owns everything. When you live like His child, enough becomes enough.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I praise You as the owner of all things. You spoke the world into being with Your word. Forgive me for believing the lie about abundance. Forgive me for chasing "more" instead of chasing You. Open my eyes to see greed in my heart. Show me what I'm holding too tight. Teach me to trust You as my safety and joy. Give me courage to release anything that takes Your place. Train my heart to be happy in You alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.