Greed

                                             Thelma, a greedy pygmy goat

                                              Louise, another greedy pygmy goat

   The Dictionary defines greed as "a selfish and excessive desire to have more of something than is needed". The Bible puts it in the same sentence with wickedness, murder, and malicious behavior. My pastor in his sermon Sunday said it is a spirit. Obviously, it is not desirable to have; but I'm afraid it comes naturally to us; or, speaking of myself, to me. I'm like the little girl in a recent tv commercial for insurance; the one where the man in a suit asks kindergarteners questions. There is one where the little girl answers, "If I like it, I want more. I want more". I can relate to that!
   I've been convicted this past year of being a greedy person. Last summer, I did a study of Jen Hatmaker's book, "The Seven Experiment". In it she addresses seven areas of her life where she has excess. I was motivated to clear out half of my closet and donate it to Goodwill. And I made a decision to buy no more clothes the rest of 2013. And I've tried using less paper towels.
   But when 2014 came along, so did my desire to buy clothes I don't need. And I've gone back to using too many paper towels. But it doesn't stop there. I love to shop flea markets. I recently spent $90 on things for my house that weren't really needed. My house needs nothing more. Don't even get me started on food. We have a large vegetable garden and I try to eat whole foods. I love sugar. I'm addicted to it. The harder I try to give it up, the more I crave it. The more I crave it, the more I eat it. It's a vicious cycle.
   Even the animals on our farm are greedy. The two big dogs won't share with each other or any of the animals. The largest pygmy goats won't share with the youngest (their own babies). We're all out of control. What to do? I'm going to start with prayer and extra time with Jesus. That's what I need most when I'm out of control. God has blessed me abundantly. I need to unclench my selfish fists and let go-to others who need it more. I don't know what to do about the pygmy goats.

"You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything", I must not become a slave to anything", 1 Corinthians 6:12.