Greed leads to a lonely place. I know because for a short time in my life, I lived there.
And it’s a cruel master when you become its slave. Nothing is ever enough. Nothing can satisfy. Worse yet, it deceives us into thinking we will run out of the very thing that often keeps us locked in its grasp.
The Bible warns us about greed repeatedly. Luke 12:15 tells us, “Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.'”
When does the Bible ever tell us to beware of something without good cause?
Confessing Greed
When we worship the things of the world, we do not worship the Lord. We can’t serve two masters. In our worship of the world, we end up making choices that hurt others… and ourselves.
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” — Colossians 3:5
Welcome to part 5 of the Going By Faith series “Uncovering Sin and Finding Forgiveness.” For last week’s confession on hate, click here.
If you want to confess greed in your life, first pray with the Bible verse below. Then, read the questions one by one — answer them truthfully. Confess other areas of your life that are controlled by greed instead of God. Be honest — this is between you and Him.
Every “yes” answer means sin in your life. Name it to God. Let there be no excuse for it — just admit it and ask forgiveness.
Pray
Verse: Acts 20:35 (NIV)
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Confess
- Have you robbed God by withholding his due of time, talents and money?
- Have you given less than a tenth of your income for God’s work?
- Have you failed to support mission work either in prayer or in offerings?
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It sounds strange to ask if we’ve robbed God of what he gives us, but the deep truth is that God provides everything to us and we will show if we can be trusted with it. We have all met people who are happy to take. Are they just as happy to give? Are we this way?
Or how about giving on “my terms.” We want to give what we no longer need or want to whom we choose. Do we disregard what God’s asking us to do… and to do joyfully?
God tells us what he wants for us. He lets us know where we can help, especially when we pray about it. Perhaps we are called to give more of our personal time to serving others. Maybe it’s donating to a special charity, a Christian radio station, a friend or family member in need.
While we confess greed in our lives, we can combat it by giving. The most important element is giving God’s way, which he tells us in our hearts.
Thank you Christ Life Ministries for granting permission to use your content (concept and confession questions).
Photo Credit
Nancy says
I have confessed all my greed to God and answered all questions truthfully, please pray for me and this has opened my eyes and I want to draw closer to God and I am accepting Jesus into my life as from today, I need Jesus in my life immediately I trust him with all my heart, this passage has touched me deeply it’s as if it’s directed to me for all the sins and greed I’ve done, I’m asking for forgiveness. aAmen
Suez says
Pray for me
Michelle says
I ask for forgiveness for my extreme need for greed over money and material possessions
I have seen my wrongs
I regret so deeply my wrong doings
I fear the repercussions of my greed at the gates of heaven
I seek forgiveness and will not make these mistakes again
I will show others the way that is right not wrong
If only I could go back in time
Pray for me
Protect me lord Jesus
Please forgive my sins
Deb says
My sister’s and I have lost our father. I have lost my mother and brother as well. My Dad’s wife no longer will speak to all of us including our kids. Please pray for Sherry Kelly as she doesn’t understand how much this hurts us. I wish for her to become closer to our Lord so she can have some empathy in her.
Tameka says
I ask God to to forgive me for being greedy and not giving Him his portion of what He blessed me with. For making promises to Him and not keeping them but expecting Him to keep blessing me. As a result it has led me to become and live my life as someone I am not proud of. It has led me to hate that very thing. The mistakes I have made because I leaned on my own devices and not trust Him enough to provide all that I need. My God I have forsaken you. Please forgive me for not being to you what you are to me. In spite of it all, He has still blessed my children, protected them and continues to make sure they have what they need. I denounce greed and fear right now in the name of Jesus! I thank you Lord for your grace and mercy and I know that you are a God of second chances. I know that you have the power to forgive so this day I choose to receive forgiveness from you and I choose not to wallow in my mess but rather renounce the sin of greed and fear and decree and declare that from this day forward I will live my life dependent on you. I will not rob God! I turn my life and that of my children back to you. I release them to you because I know that that is the best place for them to be. There is no safer place for them to be. They are your children that you have blessed me with and I give them back to you so that you might fill them with your spirit and direct them to live their lives so that they may in turn bless others. They will be vessels for you. You will provide all that they need according tryout riches and glories. They will acknowledge you in all their ways and you will direct their path. Thank you this day for deliverance, forgiveness and second chances!!! I decree that it is so in Jesus’ name! You are the head of my life and my children’s life! We will live each day for you so that we can direct others to you by the way we live our lives!!!!! In Jesus’ name I pray!!! Amen, Amen and Amen!!!!