Hebrews 11:16a  “But as it is, they desire a better country, a heavenly one.”

Greed is a sin, Lord

Your holy Word says so

Avarice it was called in the ancient church, and many a soul fell victim to it

For it is not one of the more open or notorious sins; it tends to come after and not go before, as the sins of many

Greed takes unto itself with no thought of others

It is the sin of Demas and draws us off the path of heaven

It is the secret love of this present world

It breaks the second great commandment, for in it we love not our neighbor as ourself

We would covet our neighbor’s goods, and have him to go without so we could have more

Yet it surely breaks the first great commandment also, for who can love their neighbor, without first and truly loving You?

We would exchange Your immortal glory for created things, and the Eternal for that which will pass away

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you

Your gold and silver have corroded; you have laid up treasure in the last days

Behold, the wages of the laborers who have mowed your fields are crying out against you!

Break our hearts of such foolishness and evil, Lord

Draw us by Your Spirit to the waters, we who thirst, to buy wine and milk without money or price

For whoever drinks of the water You give him will never thirst again

It will become a well of water springing up to eternal life

Teach us, Lord, to long for You.

Amen