The Thing Beneath the Thing: Greed
"The Thing Beneath the Thing: Greed"
WEEK 5 — GREED Big Idea: A religious spirit starts with entitlement. Memorable Line: Religion says, “God owes me.” The gospel says, “I owe Him everything, and He still gives me grace.” Point 1: The Polished Outside and the Protected Inside (Luke 11:37–41) • Greed hides under “I deserve this.” • Entitlement produces secrecy, comparison, exhaustion. • “A religious spirit doesn’t want God… it wants leverage.” Point 2: What We Actually Deserve (Jeremiah 17:5–10; Romans 6:23) • The heart drifts toward self-trust. • Wages vs. grace. • “If God gave me what I deserved, I’d be undone.” Point 3: What God Deserves (Luke 11:42; Romans 12:1) • Calculated love isn’t unconditional love. • Generosity confronts fear. • “God doesn’t demand payment. He invites surrender.”
DESCRIPTION
Ever feel like life didn’t turn out the way you prayed for — even though you did “everything right”?
This week we talk about the hidden root beneath greed: entitlement. Jesus confronts religious people who looked polished on the outside but were keeping score with God on the inside.
If you’ve ever thought, “After everything I’ve done…,” this message is for you.
Religion says God owes you.
The gospel says you’ve been given mercy you could never earn.
Bible References: Luke 11:37–44; Jeremiah 17:5–10; Romans 6:23; Romans 12:1
Small Group Discussion Questions
Have you ever felt like life owed you something?
Where does entitlement show up most easily — work, marriage, parenting, faith?
Why do you think comparison is so exhausting?
How does understanding grace change the way you view disappointment?
What would surrendering your “scorecard” look like practically this week?
Bible References: Luke 11:37–44; Jeremiah 17:5–10; Romans 6:23; Romans 12:1
2 Deep Journal Questions
Where am I subtly expecting God (or others) to repay me?
What would it look like to replace calculation with surrender?