What’s the difference between greed and saving up for my future?

1 Timothy 6:17-19Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

The most important greed-check is to determine if we are trusting in what we have instead of trusting in God. Saving up for the future, especially when we consider that we don’t want to bankrupt our children, is a way to be “rich in good works.” But at the same time, we should be able and willing to share with others.

Proverbs 21:26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

Another good greed-check is whether or not we love to give to others. Greedy people think mostly of accumulating for themselves, not giving anything away, even to someone in need.

Philippians 2:3-4Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

A good question to ask is whether we are trying to impress others with what we have or to have more than they do, as sort of a competition. This is often a habit of greedy people. Instead of worrying about others having more than we have, we should be happy for them in their successes.