Covetousness is idolatry of the heart. It sets up material wealth as god, and places a person’s confidence in their wealth, and success instead of God alone. The O.T. reveals a trail of destruction, and death for those who covet.
Joshua 7:21, Joshua took those who coveted, and, “Stoned him (A’chan) with stones, and burned them (A’chan’s sons and daughters) with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.”
Acts 5, Scriptures tell us of Ananias and Saphira who held out on the price of the sale of their land. Verse 3, “Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Verse 5, “Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost.” The same end came to his wife Saphira.
Then there’s Judas who complained against Mary for anointing the Lord with the expensive oil she possessed, then multiplied his sin by selling out the Lord for 30 pieces of silver.
A great deal of the O.T., law was intended to counteract the spirit of covetousness. We can see this in Josh.7. Read the whole story.
Exodus 20:17, “Thou shalt not covet they neighbors house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, not his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbors.”
1 Samuel 15:3- 9-19, “The LORD commanded Israel to, go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.” Verse 9, “But Saul and the people spared A’gog, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good. verse 19, The LORD said, “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil (swoop down on the plunder,) and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?”
Verse 23, “Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee.”
Are those who covet ever satisfied with the things they possess? Do they find peace or satisfaction in their lives? Or do their possessions feed their pride?
It’s a vice which prevails upon, and then works its way into our hearts. It wears many sinister faces, lying, deceiving, cheating and scheming. The tell-tale signs are hoarding, adoring, glorifying, and even worshiping.
Why are certain worldly objects held in high esteem? Rareness seems to hold a high value to its owner, and to the world. To possess a one of a kind item is viewed by many as being successful. But consider, are they really outstanding entrepreneur and investor? Will they ever be satisfied?
Covetousness will keep us from God. It often becomes confused with virtue. It can build in one’s own mind a sense of unwarranted pride and satisfaction. Athletes are a good example, they signing sports contracts worth millions. Many wear diamond ear-rings, drive expensive sport, or luxury cars, living in mansions, etc. Only a year before, they lived humble lives. How soon they forget. They become icons, joining the ranks of those who are adored, praised, and honored by fans.
For a Christian, what’s the bottom line? Are some to live as kings and others as beggars? Are we to give away all that God has provided for some? Of course not!
When we share our abundance, we demonstrate love. Let us plead the cause of the poor. Lets avoid the appearance, or suspicion of covetousness. How few there are who can untangle themselves from this sin. This tree of wealth, greed, and self-interests bears much fruit for few, and so little for many, but yet the fruit of this tree will fall to the ground and rot away. We cannot waste, or neglect without injustice, or sinning. To be extravagant is to be thriftless, to be wasteful, and unfaithful, our conscience should reveal this to us.
Equality is not given to us at birth, but is given to us by the grace of God. Poverty is a temporal portion, put into the hands of the rich. But the spiritual portion of God’s graces to the rich, are put into the hands of the poor. Christians are to abound in mutual dependence, one upon another. I am not speaking of money alone, but sharing all the graces and gifts given us by God. Pray that those with much will give to those in need, and those in need, pray for your brothers who have much.
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com