Beware of covetousness
Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Covetousness is the insatiable desire for more—whether that be money, status, or possessions. It isn't just about wanting what others have; it is a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with what God has already provided.
Covetousness can consume a person, blinding them to the blessings in their lives and causing them to constantly seek fulfillment through material things.
The tenth commandment tells us, “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17), reminding us that this desire to have what doesn’t belong to us is not only harmful to our relationships but also to our souls. Covetousness leads to envy, jealousy, and even a distortion of priorities. It causes us to put things above people and possessions above God.
Jesus makes it clear in Luke 12:15 that "a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Society often tells us the opposite. We are taught to believe that our success and worth are tied to the size of our bank accounts, the homes we live in, the cars we drive, or the clothes we wear. But Jesus cuts through this false narrative and says that life’s true value is not tied to material wealth.
In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), Jesus illustrates this point by telling the story of a man who built bigger barns to store his abundant crops. The man thought his wealth would secure his future, but God said to him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”
The man had focused on accumulating possessions but neglected the state of his soul. The truth is that when our lives are over, our possessions won’t come with us. What will matter is the state of our hearts and our relationship with God.
Furthermore, covetousness is a distraction from what truly matters—God's kingdom and His righteousness. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
When we become fixated on accumulating wealth and possessions, we lose sight of our spiritual calling. Instead of seeking God’s will, we become preoccupied with earthly concerns.
Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). When we prioritize material wealth, we risk making an idol out of it, placing it in the position where only God should be. Covetousness not only leads to a lack of contentment but also pulls us away from our spiritual purpose, distracting us from loving God and loving others.
Nevertheless, the antidote to covetousness is contentment, which comes from trusting in God’s provision. In Philippians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul shares, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Contentment is not about having everything we want; it’s about trusting that God has given us exactly what we need for this season of life. It’s the ability to rest in the sufficiency of God's provision.
When we trust in God’s care, we can let go of the desire for more and focus on what truly matters, our relationship with Him, our love for others, and our eternal purpose. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “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.” God’s presence and provision are enough. We don’t need to chase after more when we trust that He is already taking care of us.
In conclusion, let us remember that life is more than possessions. Our value is not determined by what we own but by who we are in Christ. Let us seek contentment in God’s provision, trust in His care, and focus our hearts on what truly matters, His kingdom and His righteousness.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, teach me to seek first Your kingdom and to trust in Your provision for my life in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, grant me the spirit of contentment in all the areas of my life in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.