…they are experts in greed—an accursed brood!
Summary: Experts in greed are different than those who occasionally struggle with desire. The expert has committed themselves to get what they want.
Unfortunately, false teachers do not put their credentials on their calling cards. Can you imagine if they did?
John Doe, False Teacher Expert in Greed since 2010! Covetousness and avarice are specialties.
What would you say to a guy like that? “Oh, hi Mr. Doe. Nice to meet you. I see you have been in the greed business for several years. How is that going for you?”
We are all experts in something. Whatever our passion is we will invest our time and effort in doing it. It would be nice if our passions were all wholesome activities, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Sometimes people cherish their desires for what other people have. Their goal in life is to possess the possessions of others. They fantasize about having more of what they want, and in their fantasies, they dream up ways of getting what they want. They become experts in greed.
So what sets an “expert in greed” apart from regular people? All of us are subject to the occasional temptation to covet something we see now and then. Hopefully, our knowledge of the Word and the presence of God’s Spirit is enough to deter us. The expert in greed, however, is not deterred. Coveting more for themselves is what they live for.
So what does a greedy person do?
Greedy people do not advertise their greed. If people do not trust you, it is harder to take advantage of them. So instead of announcing their expertise on their calling cards, greedy people will do just the opposite. They feign generosity. They might specialize in piety. They will work hard to earn your trust. As we read in our last meditation, they “seduce the unstable.”
The best defense against the greedy? Be “stable.” Stand on the rock of Jesus and God’s Word (Psalm 40:2). The stable person is not swayed by blandishments or enticed by temptation.
Sadly, the greed Peter warns us against is not an isolated incident. Specializing in greed is an affliction that plagues many. Together, Peter sees them as an “accursed brood.” He doesn’t say what animal he might have been thinking of, but Jesus had used the phrase “brood of vipers” more than once (Matthew 12:34, 23:33). It may have been that Peter remembered these words.
The world is infested with greed! To some extent, there is a little greed in all of us. But the people Peter refers to are different. They are not simply people who struggle with the occasional greedy thought. Instead, they have become addicted to wanting more. They know how to manipulate others to get what they want. These people are not amateurs. They are experts.
Application: Take Peter’s warning to heart. Strive to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6: 10-18).
Food for Thought: What kinds of things do these “experts in greed” desire in a Christian setting?
What kinds of things do these “experts in greed” desire in a Christian setting?
Attention, worship, money, gifts. Especially if they are given a class or a pulpit they can grab for attention and worship, but you don’t need either to get them. Money requires access or maybe just a good and sad story. Gifts, Christians are good givers, you just need to be close to the right ones for the good stuff.
I don’t know if you’d call it a sign of a false teacher, or just worship from his congregation when a pastor moves churches and most of the congregation follows him. I’ve seen a church gutted by this.
A,
Thank you for sharing this morning! Your description of the “expert in greed” is insightful. Your comment about a pastor who leaves for another church made me think. It sounds like you are concerned that church members are worshipping the pastor rather than our Lord. I get that. It seems like a valid concern to me, yet I am sure that such situations are probably far from simple. Thank you!
Today’s blog made me think of a young person I have known since he was a baby. He was always greedy, even as a small child. I can remember certain events happening with him, one thing in particular is that he would poke his finger into the dinner rolls at the dinner table so no one else would want them. Its not that he wanted all the rolls to eat, he just didn’t want anyone else to have any. He wanted to have his “roll and eat it too.”
What kinds of things do these “experts in greed” desire in a Christian setting? I think when it is taken to its very basic level, “experts in greed” want salvation and sin all wrapped up in a neat package. As I write this it makes me think and look into my own life, not so much now that I can see, but definitely in my past.
Chris,
Your story about the little guy who poked his finger in the rolls made me smile. That is a great example of our desire to exert ourself over others. I guess as a Christian we just have to “roll” with it. 🙂
My mind went directly to 1 John 2: 16. They desire the same things in a Christian setting as a worldly setting, because they are being worldly. They just use different means and vocabulary to get it.
Rich,
Thank you! “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
That is a great example of the battle between the world we can see and the world we cannot see.
11-15-2021, 2 Peter 2:14c, What kinds of things do these “experts in greed” desire in a Christian setting?
As usual, great summary of the study today Jeff!
Jesus tells us, “Watch out! Be on your guard against ALL KINDS OF GREED; a man’s life does not consist in THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS POSSESSIONS.”
Luke 12:15,
In Colossians Paul wrote, GREED IS A FORM OF IDOLOTRY, where people seek and find their security in the accumulations of physical things over spiritual security in our unseen God.
Colossians 3:5
Once a person starts down this road of satisfying the desires of their flesh over seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness, there are no limits to the depths of sin they will be taken into. They could become whited sepulchres like the scribes and Pharisees, or eating with the pigs as the prodigal son, as they reap what they sow.
Hi Ron,
Thank you for the kind words! I appreciate the references you shared, too. You are absolutely right about the depth of our potential greed: there is no limit.