Taking more than their share

I love growing flowers. Gardening and yard work make for wonderful stress relief–except when our resident deer insist of taking more than their share.

I have a lot of shade so hostas are one of my favorites. Hostas are a favorite for deer, too, so I spray with deer and other varmint repellent about once a week. This is a view of one of my hostas last week.

Photos by Katherine Pasour

This is the hosta after an overnight visit from our deer family. Those lovely, but greedy, creatures relish in taking more than their share.

Lest you think I don’t anticipate these nightly invasions, I strive to select as many plants as possible that deer don’t like–daffodils, irises, petunias, begonias, etc. But I need some shade plants and hostas and elephant ears are two of my favorites.

Ahhhhh! But deer like them, too!

So I spray repellent, which smells really bad, and works for a short while.

The early church

Following Pentacost, when the disciples received the Holy Spirit, believers in the Lord Jesus began to gather in worship and in service to those in need. These followers of Jesus had taken His teaching to heart and worked to serve Him through their actions.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:32-35 NIV*)

Taking more than their share

In Acts, Chapter 5, we learn the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple who sold their land, supposedly to share their gift with the disciples. But they weren’t honest with the disciples, falsely leading Peter and the others to believe Ananias and Sapphira were giving the entire amount of the sale. The couple, in their greed, held back part of the proceeds.

Peter confronted Ananias:

“Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?” (Acts 5:3)

Scripture tells us Ananias died immediately and was taken away for burial. Sapphira, not knowing her husband had perished, persisted with the lie when questioned by Peter. She too, died, and was carried away.

I believe the couple died because they lied to God and to the disciples. They wanted the credit and accolades they would receive for donating money to the cause, but in their greed, kept some, then lied before Peter and God. I don’t think God killed them for keeping money, but for being deceivers.

What are your thoughts?

Dealing with greed

I don’t plan to shoot the deer to prevent them from eating my flowers. Reasoning with them is probably not a solution either. They are part of our God’s amazing creation and I’ll likely continue to use prevention techniques and recognize that they will continue to cause hovac in my yard. But that comes with the territory–I’m a country girl and nature lover.

But what about greedy people?

How can believers be good examples for others to encourage sharing? Please don’t think I’m promoting a political system which takes from those who work and gives to those who don’t. I’m a firm believer in working hard and earning my way and I expect that work ethic from others.

However, I am asking–how can we do more to help those who have less? Your thoughts are appreciated, but again, please refrain from expressing political views. I’m questioning from the standpoint of the teachings of Jesus in regard to showing love to others.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:27-31)

Wishing you a blessed week.

I’ll be back in two weeks–taking a short break for family vacation.

*All scripture is from the NIV