Greed. The acquisition of money and other things. And then, just a little more. Well, I have been thinking about songs–songs about money. There is Janis Joplin’s Mercedes Benz. The last song she recorded before her tragic death at the age of 27 was a playful look at greed:
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?
Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV ?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?
I’m counting on you, Lord, please don’t let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town ?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
Of course, then there is Pink Floyd with the song “Money!” and its driving beat. But perhaps the song that really explores the complexity of greed and its claim on us is from a vocal group called Sweet Honey in the Rock. You can hear it here.
Open Luke’s gospel 12.13ff and I will see you Sunday!
