Is a New Year's Resolution to Get Rich a Greedy Goal? It Might Be If You Ignore This...

Radio talk show host Neal Boortz, a libertarian who takes great pride in offending as many people as he can (including Christians), has issued a challenge. He insists there is no such thing as greed. And he doesn't think anyone can give him a definition that will change his mind.

I think he's right: I doubt anyone can change his mind. That's because convincing Neal that someone can want money too much is like convincing a Christian that he can want God too much. If money is your god, you'll never have enough of it -- just as a Christian can never have enough of the true God.

With that said, I do think Neal has a good question. What is the definition of greed? Is it the desire to gain riches? Or is it something else?

Luke 12:15 gives us some insight into what Jesus considers greed. There He says, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." In other words, greed is when your life's importance is wrapped up your possessions. When this happens, the more you have, the more important you become in your own estimation.

Notice Christ didn't say that greed is having money -- or even gaining money. Greed is when you gain more to build your self-importance.

Jesus confirms this a few verses later when He says, "So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." (v. 21)

And being "rich toward God" doesn't mean you can't enjoy material wealth. On the contrary! Ecclesiastes 5:19 says, "Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil -- this is the gift of God." Wealth and the ability to enjoy it and your labor are all gifts from God.

Even the ability to gain riches is a gift from God. So our riches (however big they may be) should build God's kingdom. To deny that and gain riches to build up your self image and your empire is an offense to God.

So here's the acid test -- why do you want money? You must be brutally honest with yourself in answering this. God will be when He requires you to account for your stewardship. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't set financial goals to increase your bottom line. Your ability to reach them is a gift from God. But make sure that the genuine motive for such goals is the furthering of God's kingdom.

About The Author-- Steve Kroening writes for Success magazine and also publishes Wisdom's Edge. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit http://www.wisdomsedge.com and sign up for this free e-zine.

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