Abraham's Love and Generosity.

In writing about Abraham, Dwight L. Moody said it showed his greatness of character when he told his nephew Lot that he could have the choice of whatever land he wanted. Abraham was generous, kind and humble. He was the opposite of the rampant greed we see in corporations and most billionaires today. And imagine if the country of Israel acted like Abraham and said to the Palestinians, "Take half of the land and we will take the other half."  There would be no hatred, no war, no death.

Moody tells this story about a poor miner:

In Colorado the superintendent of some works told me of a miner that was promoted, who came to the superintendent, and said:

"There is a man that has seven children, and I have only three, and he is having a hard struggle. Don't promote me, but promote him."

I know of nothing that speaks louder for Christ and Christianity than to see a man or woman giving up what they call their rights for others, and "in honor preferring one another."

Love pushes out greed. Jesus said, "Give and it shall be given unto you, a good measure,  pressed down, shaken together and poured into your lap."

What Shall We Do?

When John the Baptist was preaching repentance different people came to ask him what that really meant. They were used to being told what to do by their priests, so they asked John.

The crowds asked him, "What then shall we do?"

John answered, "Whoever has two coats is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."

Tax Collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what shall we do?"

John said, "Collect no more than you are authorized to do."

Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?"

John said, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."
Luke 3:10-14

I found it interesting that John focused on greed and nothing else: share your clothes and food, don't steal from people, be happy with the money you have.

The priests at that time were concerned about keeping the Sabbath and obeying the laws of Moses and traditions. John went to the heart of what is most important to God; helping others and being content with what we have.

Later, when asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus taught the same thing in saying, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."