The Seven Deadly Sins: Greed

SERMON TITLE:   “The Seven Deadly Sins:  Greed”
SERMON TEXT:    Luke 12:13-23
PREACHER:           Rev. Kim James
OCCASION:           March 22, 2020, via Facebook Live Worship, due to Coronavirus
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
                Wow!  What a different time we’re in!  This coronavirus pandemic seems to have changed life as we know it.  We’re all wishing this would go away quickly, so we could pop back out of our hibernation caves in just a few weeks.  But it looks like we’re going to be in this for a long time, so I want us all to breathe deeply and stay calm.  Let’s make the best of our situation by practicing good hygiene, by keeping our proper social distances, and by learning how to use these new technologies so we can stay connected in Christian community.
                Back in January, when I first heard that the word quarantine comes from the Latin word for 40, that made good sense to me.  In the early centuries of Christianity, believers were trying to figure out how to survive, just like we are.  And they knew that there were some practices that were more healthy and others that were more deadly.  So, they created a 40-day season of Lent prior to Easter.  During this period, Christians would limit their normal, worldly activities and spend more time in meditation and prayer.  They would seriously consider their sins, repent of those wrongful ways, and take measures to become more like Christ.  This Lenten season of spiritual quarantine allowed them to put their sins to death on Jesus’ cross, so they could rise to new life with Christ on Easter.
                With that background, I decided that we here at Ogden First United Methodist Church would focus our Lenten attention this year on Christianity’s traditional list of “The Seven Deadly Sins.”  Beginning on Ash Wednesday, our church has so far discussed the deadly sins of Gluttony, Sloth, Envy, and Wrath.  In upcoming weeks, we’ll cover the topics of Lust and Pride.  In today’s sermon, though, I’m going to talk with you about a sin that has been front-and-center during this time of pandemic.  Today, we’re going to consider the deadly sin of Greed.

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