Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s bright and it’s beautiful and it’s just the kind of morning that propels my heart in to gratitude-mode before I ever formally meet with the Living God. I am forever in awe of the Work of His Hands and I am forever amazed by lessons that can be learned by nature around me. This deer venturing out for breakfast seemed to be reaching high for breakfast as though he knew that soon the higher vegetation would be lost until spring. He was traveling alone and wasting no time as if he wanted to be sure to get his share before anybody else showed up. What a powerful reminder straight from the Throne of my God of what greed looks like.

Greed comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes and most people fail to recognize greed in their own hearts. Greed stems from a heart that has an elevated self-worth and from an entitled mind.  It’s easy to point at successful people and at the mere mention of business we label them “greedy” as if talking about business defines the heart. But greed goes well beyond those monetary things. Greed is the rush to get to that parking spot before the other guy does. Greed is running back to the trough for another helping before it runs out with no consideration for others. Greed is walking past those suffering souls on a street corner without feeling their pain. Greed is saying the wrong thing and doing the wrong thing to be sure to be first or to be best. Greed is finding money on the ground or getting too much change at the check out with no thought to the one suffering the loss at all. Greed comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes and it has no place in the Kingdom of God. After all, the first commandment, and the one that is “greater” than all the others, is to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. This is the key to Christ-like character.

It’s easy for most of us to love the family “as thyself” and it’s easy for most of us to put their needs above our own. But it’s an entirely different story when it goes beyond the comfort of our homes; where the test of character is made and where greed can shine brighter than Faith. “Love thy neighbor as thyself” doesn’t come with exclusions. It isn’t followed up with “if they’re nice to you” or “if they’re beautiful” or “if they behave themselves” or “if they share your faith” or “if they’re the same color as you are” or “if they’re the same class as you are”. There are no exclusions in the command to “love they neighbor as thyself” whatsoever. It’s no big deal at all to love lovable people….anybody can pull that off. But loving those difficult-to-love people is an entirely different story. Loving through the challenges is ONLY made possible when we have Christ-like character and when we understand that Christ died for all. “Love thy neighbor as THYSELF”.

I’ll be focused on my business and I’ll be pursing my income today but there will be no greed within me. My determination to make a living has nothing at all to do with the condition of my heart and my determination does not be defined as “greed”. I’ll love the lovable and if I face a challenge with another or if someone does me wrong today, I’ll dig deep to love the unlovable too. How will they ever see Christ in me if I don’t learn to take on Christ-like character?

Do you strive to have the Character of Christ or do you excuse yourself for your own behavior as if you’re exempt from the Rules? “Love thy neighbor as thyself”.