“Greed” (1Tim.6:6; Mt.6:24-25; 4:1; James 4:1; John 14:6; Ps.131; 2Tim.6:6) [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare # 21-22B –#3/10]

The greedy can be led astray;
The love of profit leads away
Into a quagmire of deceit,
Where bribery one quickly meets.

So generals must watch their step,
Be on their guard, for they can get
More than they bargained for with greed
(Excess of what each man has need).

I saw a film based on a yarn –
“How much”, it asked, “till rises harm,
Does mankind need by way of the land?”
(Or other things, one understands).

A guy is told, “Walk ’round a space,
Come back by sunset, in which case
The circle you have made is yours”;
His greed means great land he secures.

But so exhausted is this man
By greed for greater piece of land,
He dies as he returns to start;
“How much?” – Best ask when we embark.

And there’ll be others on our way –
“I’ll help you out”; “I’ll make it pay”;
“If you will just help me in turn”
(Great way for you to future burn).

Lord, evil one said that to You
Back in the desert – just you to –
“All kingdoms of the world I give,
If You will by my outlook live”.

We think of greed and profit-gain
In smaller terms – it’s much the same;
Lord, being turned off narrow way
Leaves us exposed, not making hay.

Shortcuts are how we sucker in –
“Quick ROI” leads into sin;
Not at the first, when we embark,
It’s later on that trouble starts.

But where it’s stopped is at the start –
Seeds planted, any type, as lark
Still grow, producing fruit – all kinds;
So trouble’s stopped at planting time.

Lord, thanks for Kingdom-life today;
For place we stand and grow in Way
You are for us, with Truth, and Life,
As You press darkness back with light.

Thanks Lord for this.

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