Covetousness
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Covetousness has been referred to as "the mother of sin" because the desire to sin first arises in the heart before it finds expression in the act. Covetousness may not appear as bad as some other more outward sins, but it is one of the worst sins because it spawns so many others.
Covetousness arises when we covet and set our hearts upon something, which belongs to another and wish we had it instead of them.
Covetousness is a real problem in our society today. The Bible even declares that in the last days that perilous times would come and one of the sins of the last days was covetousness.
It is also a major problem in our churches today, and it is a real problem among Christians today, and probably all of us are more guilty of it than we even realize.
Covetousness arises from Selfish Motivation. Mark 7:21 states, "From within, out of the heart of them proceed ... covetousness."
It comes from a heart that is selfishly motivated instead of being spiritually motivated. "The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart." Man is self-centered. Man is seeking to satisfy himself.
The cause of covetousness is a selfish heart and this in turn leads to a selfish motivation.
It also arises from Spiritual Misunderstanding Luke 12:15 states, "Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
Jesus follows these words with a parable. The man in the parable was a materialist. He knew how to make a living, but he did not know how to make a life! He did not own possessions - they owned him! A covetousness person is so taken up with this life that he loses sight of the eternal life.
What covetousness can do to us incudes:
1. Covetousness has power to DECEIVE Us. We can be misled that we do not even recognize when we are committing this sin. Covetousness is very deceitful.
2. It has power to dominate us.
1 Timothy 6:9 states, "The love of money is the root of all evil." Covetousness can cause a man to break all the other commandments. It is the mother of all sins.
If allowed covetousness to go unchecked, it will soon master us. We fall prey to its force and seem to have little power to overcome it.
3. It has power to DESTORY us.
Let me remind you of some from the Scriptures that covetousness destroyed better men than you and I.
1. Achan’s covetousness led to theft and disobedience and ultimately the death of he and his family.
2. David’s covetousness led to adultery and to murder.
3. Ahab’s covetousness led to the murder of Naboth.
4. Ananias and Sapphria covetousness lead to lying to Holy Ghost and ultimately instant death.
5. Lot's covetousness led him to chose a good land before his uncle and eventually lost everything.
The Bible not only condemns covetousness but it also offers the best cure for those who have been poisoned by it.
But thankfully, contentment is the solution to covetousness.
You will always be covetous until you learn contentment. Contentment is the prescription for covetousness, and contentment is found in Christ.
Jesus is the secret of contentment. If you have the Son, you have it all.
Be thankful and peaceful for what you have in Christ. Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for all you have done for me in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, forgive me for being covetous in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, grant me the spirit of contentment in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.