When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Genesis 3:6

For Meditation

In 2008, the modern world faced its worst economic disaster in decades. The financial market meltdown sent shockwaves through all sectors of the world economy, driving almost every country dizzily down recession lane. Millions lost their homes; many banks closed, while others were bailed out; unemployment rates went through the roof due to massive layoffs. As the situation worsened, world leaders helplessly scratched their heads. Many reasons were given for the disaster, but at the core of it all were the twin sisters of the Sin family called Covetousness and Greed. The script is from the old book of Genesis.

Satan brought the sisters into the Garden of Eden. He paired Lady Eve with sister Covetousness, and Count Adam with Sister Greed for a dance around the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, to the sweet music of Deception. When the dance intensified, Lady Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was “good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom” (Gen. 3:6). She could not resist taking a bite, and it tasted so good that she asked Count Adam to try it. He did, and instantly, they saw themselves in a way they had never seen before – naked (vs. 7a). Then they discovered that the music they had been dancing to all evening was Deceptive, but it was too late. They were stuck with the twin sisters. Their hand made covering of fig leaves didn’t work, and now they felt ashamed. How could they face God when He called after them (vs. 8)?

This has been the story of the world since the Garden episode. The same twin sisters of covetousness and greed continue to dance with mankind today. Call them whatever you may, but you cannot change their nature. What compels people to buy houses they cannot pay for? When people scheme to get others to spend beyond their budgets; when bank executives give themselves fat bonuses while their companies are failing and being rescued with government funding; when politicians shamelessly steal everything; when children want every new gadget under the sun; how do you call them apart from Sisters Covetousness and Greed.

The answer lies in Jesus, and it is the story of Easter. All the frantic efforts to stem the tide would amount to nothing if Christ is not allowed to rule in the human heart. Count Adam and Lady Eve can tell you how useless their fig leaf dresses were until God made those beautiful garments of skin for them (vs. 21). What grace God lavished on them!

God offers the same grace to the world today in Christ Jesus. He is the best gift to the world. This Easter season, may we accept Him, and allow Brother Contentment to fill our hearts with peace and joy (1 Tim. 6:6-10).  Let’s stop the blame game that brings only war and devastation. Let’s allow Christ into our hearts and stop the rule of the wicked Sisters, Greed and Covetousness, with devastating effect (Gen. 3:12-19).