The Weight of Greed: A Devotional on Habakkuk 2:6
"Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!" - Habakkuk 2:6
As we delve into the depths of Habakkuk 2:6, we find ourselves confronted with a powerful admonition: "Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!" This verse speaks of the consequences of greed and the insatiable pursuit of possessions that do not rightfully belong to us.
In this passage, the prophet Habakkuk delivers a message both timeless and universally applicable. As we reflect on this verse, we must first consider who "him" is—the figure represented in this scripture stands as a symbol of those who engage in dishonest gain and exploit others for their own benefit. Habakkuk's lament comes at a time when injustice, corruption, and tyranny are rampant in society.
The phrase "increaseth that which is not his" highlights the heart of the matter: a rampant impulse to acquire more than one has a right to. This is not merely a physical act of theft but a spiritual condition of the heart—covetousness. Greed is a silent thief that steals our joy, peace, and ultimately our relationship with God. It often masquerades itself under the guise of ambition, but its roots dig deep into dissatisfaction and a worldly mindset.
When we examine our own lives, we might be tempted to point fingers at those who amass wealth through unjust means—politicians, business tycoons, or others we see as the embodiment of greed. However, Habakkuk’s warning reverberates back to us. How often do we find ourselves caught up in a similar cycle? Do we measure our worth by what we possess or how well we compare to our neighbors?
The subsequent part of the verse, "ladeth himself with thick clay," further illustrates the futility of accumulating wealth through ungodly means. The term "thick clay" can be interpreted as burdensome debts or the weight of a guilty conscience. When we pursue riches that do not belong to us, we are not only creating an imbalance in our own life but are also loading ourselves with burdens—those of guilt, shame, and eventual loss. Such pursuits will inevitably crush and burden the one who clings to them.
As believers, this verse challenges us to examine our motives and our practices. Are we engaging in strategies and schemes that align with God's principles? Are we content with what we have, or are we driven by a relentless desire for more? 1 Timothy 6:9-10 states, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil." This admonition echoes Habakkuk's warning, reminding us that our pursuit of wealth, above all else, can lead us away from God’s calling and purposes for our lives.
Moreover, the phrase, "how long?" reveals the weariness of the human heart in the face of injustice. It is a cry for a resolution to the discrepancies we see around us—a reminder that God sees and will hold the unjust accountable. In many ways, this underlines the prophetic role Habakkuk plays: to voice the concerns of his people, perpetually aware of God’s delayed justice in a world filled with inequity. Those who exploit and hoard will ultimately face their reckoning.
As we meditate on Habakkuk 2:6, let us not merely see it as an ancient lament, but as a call to righteousness—both for ourselves and for our communities. Let us seek to be generous, to speak out against injustice, and to pursue what is rightful and good in the eyes of God. May we learn to content ourselves with what He provides, knowing that true wealth lies not in material gain, but in the richness of grace, love, and community.
As we conclude, let us ask ourselves: what does it mean to increase God’s kingdom rather than our possessions? Let us focus our hearts and lives on that which is eternal and reject the heavy mantle of greed that only seeks to weigh us down.
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Habakkuk 2:6 - "Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!"
"Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!" - Habakkuk 2:6
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Habakkuk 2:12 - "¶ Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!"
Habakkuk 2:14 - "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
Habakkuk 2:11 - "For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it."
Habakkuk 1:6 - "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's."
Habakkuk 2:2 - "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
Habakkuk 2:20 - "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."
Habakkuk 2:13 - "Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?"
Habakkuk 2:3 - "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 3:6 - "He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting."
Habakkuk 2:4 - "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."
Habakkuk 2:7 - "Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?"
Habakkuk 2:10 - "Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul."
Habakkuk 2:15 - "¶ Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!"
habakkuk 3: 6 He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations. And the everlasting mountains were scattered, The perpetual hills bowed.His ways are everlasting.
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14
"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." - Habakkuk 2:1
"¶ Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!" - Habakkuk 2:12
Habakkuk 2:9 - "¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!"
Habakkuk 1:2 - "O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!"
Habakkuk 2:19 - "Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it."
Habakkuk 2:18 - "¶ What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?"
Habakkuk 2:17 - "For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein."
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." - Habakkuk 2:2
Habakkuk 2:8 - "Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein."
Habakkuk 2:1 - "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved."
Habakkuk 3:2 - "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."