Theme: GREED
Text: “A bishop then must be blameless, … vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous,” – 1 Timothy 3:2, 3.
Comment: One of the qualities expected of true servants of God is that such a one should not be greedy or have a high interest for monetary gains. St. Paul was blunt in telling the Christians in Philippi that he was not soliciting for gifts in that he had learnt to be content in whatever state he found himself. Rather, he desired fruit that would abound to their account. – Philippians 4:11-12, 17.
The Bible warns us severally to beware of addiction to alcohol in that it damages one’s health, cripples one financially, leads to the break-up of marriages and alienates one from God. Solomon, a prophet of God admonished: “Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags”. (Proverbs 23:19-21) He also said, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” – Proverbs 20:1.
Anger is another vice that the devil easily exploits to destroy someone. Solomon said, “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” (Proverbs, 14:17, 29) He also said: “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression,” – Proverbs 29: 22.