Trapped by Our Own Greed

Does anyone here want to know how to catch a monkey? Well, I can tell you a story about how they catch a monkey in some places of the world. First, they take a gourd, cut a small hole in it, then put some rice inside. Next, they tie the gourds down securely and wait for the monkey.

The monkeys are so greedy that they fall for the gourd trick every time. The monkey sticks his paw into the gourd to get the rice. He grabs a handful—but then he can’t get his hand out of the gourd. His closed fist won’t go through the small hole.

The monkey is so greedy that he won’t let go of the handful of rice. He just waits there with his greedy fist wrapped around the rice until the men come and capture him.

Well, you’ve got the moral to this story: Don’t be greedy and selfish or you may make a “monkey” of yourself.

In our Bible lesson today a man came to Jesus and said, "Please tell my brother to divide our father's estate with me."

Jesus replied, "Friend, who made me a judge to decide such things as that?" Then he said, "Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life isn't measured by how much you own."

Then he told them a story: "A rich man had a some rich land that produced fine crops. He said to himself, 'What should I do? I don't have enough room in my barn to hold all my crops." Then he said to himself, "I know, I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I will have enough for all my crops and I will sit back and say to myself, "Take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"

"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?'"

"This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves, but does not have the riches of God."

Hear what God's Word says. Don't let selfishness and greed make a monkey out of you.

Dear Father, help us to be content with the blessings which you so generously give us and help us to be on guard against selfishness and greed. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.