Greed affects all of us. It speaks from our heart, making four common claims. Jesus challenges greed in a memorable parable about a man who wants a bigger, newer, better barn. It doesn't end well for him. Fortunately, greed has an antidote: Generosity.

If you're under 65 years old, the word "submit" makes you cringe. You are self-sufficient. You make your own rules. You follow the beat of your own drum. Thus the biblical call to "mutual submission" startles you. Take the test: Seven Signs that Submission Is Not Your Strong Suit." You'll see. And once you admit you try to hard to control others, you might consider letting the Spirit take greater control in your #LifeTogether.

Encouragement is key to holding on to the faith. Whether pressures are internal or external, we all feel them pressing in on us. Encouragement allows us to press on. Our encouragement should not be mere flattery, but should help others focus on Christ.

Random acts of service are good, but leave our hands on the steering wheel. We control when and whom we help. Jesus has a better way: being a servant. The New Testament command to serve one another gets beyond random acts to being available and leveraging our strengths for the body of Christ.

Greetings and good-byes matter. They set the foundation or establish the tone of a relationships. The apostle Paul encouraged the church to "greet one another with a holy kiss" on several occasions. The kiss leveled the playing feel and linked people together. It was a way of including others and showing love. We must learn to express our welcome with a warm embrace.