Envy Gives Birth to Greed

Courtesy of Mr. Men Wiki

Today, I want to discuss envy and how it can lead to being greedy.  Back in the mid-2000’s I could remember how I would (a) hear of a 63 year old person hitting the lotto for $20 Million; or (b) hear of someone like LeBron James who had only a high school education but had a $90 Million Nike contract before even setting foot on an NBA basketball court; or (c) drive through Northern Raleigh in the Falls Lake area looking at $2 Million dollar homes wondering how they could afford it. Yep, that use to be me and I was convicted by the Holy Spirit about it as well.

Luke 12:15 - And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (KJV)

Guess what, there is nothing wrong with having Holy ambitions and wanting more for you and your family. But, to want to reach a goal because of envy of another person and their possessions is plain being greedy. There is no other way to put it. You see how the envy part can lead to greed? So, in the examples listed above, I want to go deeper into what I would say.

(a) “Someone 63 years old winning all that money? What are they going to do with it? They are retired and they don't know what to do with all that money.”  I may have been right in that they may not have known what to do with all the money, but guess what? You and a lot of other people would not know what to do with it either! If you cannot manage what you currently have what makes you think God will give you more? Do you know that there is an organization out there that is strictly for people who come into "quick money"? Because of the increasing number of lotto winners people's lives go through dramatic changes and money is the driving force...not God & their morals.  With the increase in divorces, alcohol abuse, etc., these people need help (some not all).

(b) "Man, I can't believe, this kid is straight out of high school and has all that money. That is ridiculous." Now, that sounded about like what I would say. What did I see? I saw myself having a four year college degree and in debt. LeBron got his high school diploma and then became a Nike & NBA celebrity making Millions. However, we do not know the everyday pains of this man's life. With money and fame comes new issues and sometimes the lack of better judgment. It would be wrong to judge and say what you would do when you have no idea the atmosphere in which someone with that amount of money operates.

(c) Riding in North Raleigh, you can see some huge & beautiful houses, but then I use to start wondering, “What in the world do these people do? How can so many people afford housing of this nature when I seem like I live from month to month. I need to find out what they’re doing and do that!” Is that you? Have you ever said that before? But, have you ever wondered how their family life is? Are they putting on a front (a facade) to be with the Jones? You probably would not want to be close to what some people do in order to have what they have. Let's look at more scripture:

Proverbs 15:27 - He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. (KJV)

Have you ever thought about the fact that some people are simply blessed for living in God's will and doing what is best for HIS kingdom? You know, this could be a possible answer for what we see others having. I think we get so wrapped up in the material items and what we want, that we lose focus on our spiritual needs and what is best for us spiritually. If we take care of these needs and live according to HIS Word, the Lord will take care of the rest of your needs.

But wait, Antoine you mentioned something about envy. Never fear, I have a scripture here for that too:

Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Then I saw that all painful effort in labor and all skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This is also vanity, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it. (AMP)

If you want for the wrong reasons then you shall have nothing spiritually. You may acquire what you desired, but if the want wasn't spiritually motivated, the end result may be trouble to you, your family, and others around you. A lot of the times we want more and more and more, without thinking about the additional consequences that come bundled with "more".

In order to grow we must recognize our weaknesses (with the aide of the Holy Spirit of course). There I was, all that time being envious and not even recognizing it. I never considered myself as such but it only takes a small amount of envy to be envious. We have to be able to put ourselves under subjection and begin to improve those areas that need improving. I thank God that He revealed this too me and I hope that this has helped someone else too.

Antoine E. Hall

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Servant Leadership

I want to share with you all a concept called "Servant Leadership". If you have never heard of it, I know it can strike you up side the head with confusion. However, never fear, Antoine is here to break all the moves down real slow so you can understand them.

Well what is servant leadership? It seems that the two words are the exact opposite of each other. How can you serve folks and be a leader at the same time?  That is another good question. Let's get a few  working definitions, then we will bring up the rear with some scriptures.

Servant leadership is a term that is circulating among business owners and organization leaders today. It was coined by a man named Robert K. Greenleaf in 1970 however, the act of servant leadership has been around since Jesus' times. Today the Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership (http://www.greenleaf.org, Retrieved Wed Sep 28, 2005) defines it as:

"Servant-Leadership is a practical philosophy which supports people who choose to serve first, and then lead as a way of expanding service to individuals and institutions. Servant-leaders may or may not hold formal leadership positions. Servant-leadership encourages collaboration, trust, foresight, listening, and the ethical use of power and empowerment."

It makes you want to scratch you head right? Well, it shouldn't. The concept was revealed to me through the book "God is my CEO" by Larry Julian. But see, the idea is not just for the corporate world, it is for other non-profit organizations, and more importantly the church. I later realized that I had known of the concept all along through biblical experience and you probably did too. Amazing how the Holy Spirit works!

Think about it, you as the leader have to first be humble because in order to serve someone else you must be humble despite your title. This is a great time to look at someone who is very humble. SCRIPTURE TIME!!!!   First let's go to John 13:4-5,

(4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. (5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. (KJV)

WHAT? Why would Jesus need to do anything like that? I mean after all, he knew "that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God" (John 13:3, KJV). I mean why would he have to serve the disciples? It is also about knowing who you are, where you are coming from, and where you are going. If you know those three things, then there will no problem with serving those whom you lead.  After Jesus washed the disciples feet he says, in John 13:14-16

(14) If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  (15) For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (16) Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. (KJV)

Let's just remember that as leaders, we don't have to ram things down people throats nor use them as objects or a means to an end. The bottom line should not be your priority. The bottom line can be about the profit driven corporate world or your organizations goal and mission, and/or spreading and preaching the gospel. If you take care of your disciples, employees, and/or volunteers and serve their needs, the bottom line will take care of itself. Not only will they feel good about themselves, but they will feel empowered to do what's best for the organization. Again, the bottom line takes care of itself.

Now, if only we can began to apply this in our spiritual walk. The phrase for today is "Servant Leadership". Are you a position or title hog? Or, are you a humble servant, leading those you serve? Marinate on that a minute.

Antoine E. Hall

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." - James 1:22

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