Deadly Sin of the Week:
- Greed: An intense and selfish desire for something.
We usually know it when we see it in others. And I have to admit I have it in myself.
Like all the deadly sins, greed can be problematic for the person expressing it.
Greed is associated with negative psychological states such as stress, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and despair, and with behaviors like gambling, hoarding, trickery, and theft.
When we are caught in greed, our impulse to collect, consume, or control overwhelms our commitment to friends and society.
How do we counteract this self-focused, grab-more impulse of greed?
One way is to intentionally turn our focus outward and give kindness.
2022 Lenten Challenge: Counteracting the 7 Deadly Sins with 7 Life Giving Virtues
Week #2
- Deadly Sin: Greed
- Life-Giving Virtue: Kindness
Deadly Sin List: Begun in the 4th century by Evagrius Ponticus, numbered in the 6th century by Pope Gregory the 1st, and elaborated on in the 13th century by Thomas Aquinas
Kindness
I’ve experienced kindness when our car conked out on the highway and a good Samaritan stopped and gave my family a ride to a time-sensitive gymnastics meet.
I’ve experienced kindness when a lost and found employee at a large airport took the time to locate a lost homemade coat and send it back, adding a stuffing of airline snack stroop-waffles.
I’ve experienced kindness when friends have taken time to help us with our roof construction and moving heavy wood stoves.
When have you experienced kindness?
I’ve also experienced the pleasure of giving kindness. The simple act of giving up my place in a grocery store line for someone behind me has brought me pleasure.
Doing small acts of kindness is a well-known strategy in psychology studies for increasing people’s levels of happiness and well-being.
The ‘feel good, do good” phenomena is found in the fact that when we feel good/ happy, we are more apt to do good. But the reverse is also true. When we ‘do good’ we are more apt to “feel good’.
Doing (even watching) kindness increases our level of happiness. We are designed to benefit from virtues like kindness.
I invite you to join me this week as we counteract life-draining greed with life-giving kindness.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people clothe yourself with . . . kindness. . .” Col. 3:12
Soul Sculpting Project: Give Kindness
- Pick a day this week to look for opportunities to give kindness.
Kindness Ideas:
For others:, Listen with undivided attention, buy a coffee or tea, pet the dog extra long, express your gratitude, smile, forgive, provide a favorite treat.
For yourself: Rest when you are tired, play your favorite music, forgive yourself, take a long walk.
Happiness Tip:
Studies show that our happiness increases the most when:
- Our kind acts are above and beyond our usual kind behavior.
- We pack several acts of kindness into one day – rather than spreading them out through a week.
“ Be Kind . . . to one another . . .” Eph. 4:32
soulsculpting 