Jesus wanted his disciple to be free from the control of fear. Because greed is fueled by fear, he took the opportunity to address it as well (and, in so doing, shared one of his most famous stories). Get out your Bible, open it to Luke 12, and let’s learn from Jesus how to live free of fear and greed.

A class member shared the following Frederick Faber poem regarding the fear of the Lord, which is so good I want to pass it along.

The Fear of the Lord (F. W. Faber)

My fear of Thee, O Lord, exults Like life within my veins, A fear which tightly claims to be One of love’s sacred pains.

There is no joy the soul can meet Upon life’s various road Like the sweet fear that sits and shrinks Under the eye of God.

Oh, Thou art greatly to be feared, Thou art so prompt to bless! The dread to miss such love as Thine Makes fear but love’s excess.

But fear is love, and love is fear, And in and out they move; But fear is an intenser joy Than mere unfrightened love.

They love Thee little, if at all, Who do not fear Thee much; If love is Thine attraction, Lord! Fear is Thy very touch.