Shocking

While the back pages of the papers may focus on the shock defeat of Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon, or the surprise defeat of Germany in the Euro football championships, the front pages highlight the behaviour of bankers from Barclay's and other banks. 

Few of us understand what they have been doing, but it looks shocking.

Bankers' bonuses used to be what was shocking, but some excused that. No one is excusing this present evidence of naked greed. 

This story is bound to run and run, so watch this space for further updates.

However, I wonder whether we should be so easily shocked.

All of us know the temptations to indulge our own greed, and we are sometimes shocked to discover that we have placed our trust in failing idols or one sort or another. Think of how we pamper our homes, or dream of the perfect holiday, or get enticed into buying the latest gadgets - 42 inch flat screen TV - or iphone. Greed is all around us and often within.

The prophet Isaiah, writing to the people of his day (750BC), brought a message of shocking clarity.

Israel is full of silver and gold;
    there is no end to its treasures.
Their land is full of warhorses;
    there is no end to its chariots.
⁸ Their land is full of idols;
    the people worship things they have made
    with their own hands.
⁹ So now they will be humbled,
    and all will be brought low—
    do not forgive them.' (Isaiah 2.7-9)

There was plenty of wealth in Jerusalem and Israel, but there was also plenty of greed. Too many had fallen for the easy option of worshipping items which had been made by other humans. The closing warning from the prophet is one we could take into our thinking. 'Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?' (Isaiah 2.22)

Instead, we need to be those who resist the temptations to place our focus on stuff of any sort, as Jesus told us. '“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.' (Matthew 6.19-21)

Don't be like a greedy banker, or just a greedy person. Live simply for Jesus today.

Best wishes,

Richard