The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”: Sheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.” (Prov. 30:15–16)
Being called a leech is not a term of endearment. Like the term “parasite,” it’s a moniker that describes a perpetually unsatisfied taker. In these verses the concept is reiterated four more times with dramatic imagery. The author associates each example with the unquenchable nature of greed.
I know a man that, at one time in his life, was homeless. He was living out of his car with no additional possessions to his name. Through a remarkable series of events he won a lawsuit against a large telecommunications company. That turned into a number of additional lawsuits against other heavy hitters in that industry. It was a rags-to-riches story of epic proportions. He went from destitute to multimillionaire (many times over).
I was scheduled to travel with him to an appointment on the other side of the city. He did not want to navigate rush hour traffic so he suggested we meet at a nearby airport to take his private jet. As we walked across the tarmac he began to complain about how small his plane was. By the time I was settling into one of the leather seats, he was outlining his plan to get a bigger one soon. Despite having experienced life in poverty, he was pining after jets larger than his that were parked a short distance away.
The Proverbs 30 characteristics of discontent are universal. They are not exclusive to the wealthy or even the unbeliever. The Evil One is still whispering, “Did God actually say?” He is still claiming, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you [get what you desire] your eyes will be opened….” Put another way, the lies are “the consequences aren’t that bad” followed by “you deserve it.” That is standard American messaging!
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 Jn. 2:15–16)
1 John 2 reveals the false hope that the next “all I need” thing is going to bring lasting satisfaction, and that’s not the only problem. Christians with a taking attitude fail to recognize that they serve a Father that loves to give to His children. He is a God that provides in abundance! When the widow ran out of money and believed she was going to die, God gave her oil to supply her immediate need and then much more! It was enough to sustain her financially well into the future. When Jesus turned the water into wine there was enough for everyone to enjoy. When He fed the 5,000 (and the 4,000) they ate to their fill and there were leftovers!
Here’s the crazy thing. Applied to greed or discontent, your mind can find no end to desire. Sinful longings are never fully quenched. However, the believer that trusts in the Lord and sacrifices his selfish inclinations, serves a God that “is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Instead of fixating on what you don’t have, you can choose to selflessly submit to a God that is able to do more for you than you could ever imagine for yourself!
Will you choose to be a selfless giver instead of an unsatisfied leech? Ask God to help you resist greedy thoughts and commit yourself to a life of godly contentment. It promises to be wildly more fulfilling because you serve a gracious, abundantly giving God.
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Lk. 6:38)