Yesterday we considered generosity as the antidote to greed.  Today, we continue with that focus.  Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Corinth as he reminded them of an offering they promised to give to the believers in Jerusalem who were experience the impact of a famine:  ⁶Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." ⁸And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor  Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” ¹⁰For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. (2 Cor. 9:6-10 NLT)

Interesting that Paul used the image of a farmer planting seeds, as an analogy for what happens when we GIVE.  One would think he was telling us about investing.  After all, when a farmer plants seed, he does so expecting to get a return on his investment.  But for Paul the image is a reminder that giving generously is "planting a crop for eternity."  Paul knew what Jesus taught us--the only place worth storing treasure is heaven.  The only treasure of heaven is people.  The only way to "harvest" people is to introduce them to Jesus, and one of the means to doing that is through GIVING.  This logic is as far from greed as it gets. 

Greed says, "I need MORE, MORE, MORE!  MY security comes first! MY comfort comes first!"  Generosity says, "The more I give away the more blessed my life is.  In fact, Paul tells us that God loves a person who gives cheerfully!  (The actual Greek expression is God loves a hilarious giver!)  When you give do you feel good, do you feel joyful, or do you worry that by giving you may not have enough?  As Paul points out God is the one who provides both the seed for the farmer and the bread the farmer eats.  God is our source, our security.  If He is first in our lives (as we talked about on Tuesday) then our faith in Him will lead us to be givers and greed will fade into the background in our lives.  To use another farming image, the best way to get rid of weeds in our flower beds is to plant flowers, especially flowers that have stronger root systems than the weeds we find there!