Emula virus

Like many people I have been watching the news to track the status of the ebola virus outbreak. Originating in bats in West Africa, the disease has spread through three African nations, where the death toll is approaching 5,000. Ebola has reached into other nations including the U.S. through travelers carrying the disease with them.

The virus organisms invade cells and use them to replicate themselves. They then explode into the blood stream, hijacking the immune system. This causes flu-like symptoms that worsen into total meltdown of body function. Blood breaks down and loses its clotting properties, causing free bleeding. Bodily fluids are expelled through vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. Internal organs are overwhelmed from stress and begin to shut down. Within days the victim is dead. There is no vaccination, and the only successful treatment is isolating the patient and pouring on the fluids and blood transfusions to keep the organs operating until the virus runs its course.

The Ebola virus invades, corrupts, and causes death.

Today at church I am talking about another virus. A spiritual virus. A potentially deadly virus that invades, corrupts, and causes spiritual death. According to the ancient fathers it is one of the seven deadly spiritual viruses because it eats away at the inner being.

I’m talking about a virus I’ll call the Emula virus. Greed. The love of money, root of all evil. Emula incubates in human hearts and most often affects victims in wealthy Western cultures like the U.S. A climate of materialism and discretionary income are ideal for it to spread, and agents for its transmission include lots of advertising and discontentment.

Emula invades the heart and produces two identifiable symptoms. The first is the insatiable desire for more stuff. The second is the ongoing fear that we may not get it. The virus works by using the identifiable symptoms to change the heart, making it more materialistic and self-centered. Everything changes. Relationships are altered, interests are changed, and pursuit of God is diminished. Spiritual reserves are depleted and eventually loss of soul occurs.

The Emula virus invades, corrupts, and causes death.

Jesus spoke of this. One day he was teaching when a man in the crowd asked him to referee a family dispute. “Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” The symptoms were present and the disease was doing its damage.

Jesus bluntly refused, and then proceeded to humiliate the poor guy in front of the entire gathering. “Watch out!” he said. “Guard yourself against all kinds of greed. After all, one’s life isn’t determined by one’s possessions, even when someone is very wealthy.”

Then he told a story about a man whose farm did especially well. He decided to build bigger barns and relax. “Fool,” the Lord said, “tonight you die. Who will get your stuff?”

He then told the disciples not to worry about getting stuff, even the necessary stuff. Don’t chase after this stuff. Stop worrying. Don’t be afraid.

The virus of greed, with its symptoms of wanting more stuff and the fear of not getting it, invades, corrupts, and causes death.

Then Jesus prescribed the treatment. Get rid of the stuff and give to those in need.

The quickest way to affect a change of focus financially is to give, and the Bible repeatedly teaches regular, proportional giving. Simplicity and generosity counter the two symptoms by making the desire for stuff and the fear of not getting it less important.

Jesus said, “The Father delights to give you the kingdom.” The kingdom. When simplicity and generosity are practiced within the context of kingdom the heart is repaired and refocused with the right priorities.

Today I am challenging our congregation to rethink the use and importance of money in their lives, and to begin a practice of regular, proportional giving by applying simplicity and generosity. How can we simplify our lives and reduce the amount of stuff? How can we live generously and bless the needs of others through the kingdom? How can we become a better more effective embassy of God’s kingdom in our community and around the world?

Luke 12:13-33