Jesus and Covetousness

Exodus 20:17; Proverbs 11:23, 24; Luke 12:13-21

GOLDEN TEXT: “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”—Proverbs 11:28

COVETOUSNESS is but another word for selfishness, acquisitiveness directed toward the individual’s personal interests—safety, security, ease, pleasure, honor of men, etc. Generally covetousness is interpreted to mean the desire to possess that which belongs to another. In the New Testament the word usually translated covet and covetousness means to desire more, to be avaricious. The opposite to this is the thought in Heb. 13:5: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.”

The Authorized Version uses the word conversation, which in the broad sense, means conduct, including not only the words, but the deeds of life. As some see others possessed of greater wealth, larger opportunities, better and more conveniences than themselves, they have a spirit, or disposition, of covetousness, dissatisfaction with what divine providence has shaped for them.

A certain amount of ambition is laudable. The ambition against which the apostle is speaking is that of a dissatisfied heart, overlooking the blessings already possessed and desiring the things that he has not. Rather, one should say, God could grant me greater riches if he chose. I am his child, and therefore what he grants me in the way of reward for my endeavors must be all right. I shall not envy others their possessions; but I shall wait for the Lord and believe that what he gives is best for me, and much better than anything I could choose for myself.

The principle of covetousness or selfish desire may manifest itself also with respect to things already in our possession. From the moment of consecration all the powers and possessions belong to the Lord; and to seek to use these for one’s self and to refuse to use them in the service of the Lord would be holding back what belongs to him. Some of the Lord’s dear children fail to realize their privileges of (1) sacrifice, and (2) the cultivation of the spirit of contentment and generosity. Some, after being well fed on spiritual manna, may permit a selfish, craving, or covetous spirit to interrupt their fellowship with the Lord to some extent. Hankering for earthly, fleshly, good things, these forget the wisdom of their leader, the Lord, and that his love, which has thus far delivered and fed and led them, is still with them, the same as ever.

Thus covetousness may be manifested in repining against one’s lot in life, a desire for more ease and comfort, wealth and social influence than are within his reach. Sometimes it is revealed in a protest against one’s share of the aches and pains of the groaning creation and inability to be relieved of these. Sometimes it prompts to a protest against the illness or death of a loved one.

How unwise! Should not those walking in the way of the Master, who have been fed with the spiritual manna, realize that all of spiritual Israel’s affairs are under the Lord’s special supervision? Should we not remember that “he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men,” but for their good? (Lam. 3:33; Heb. 12:10) Ah! many have no doubt found that prayers uttered in the spirit of murmuring have, even when answered, brought unexpected drawbacks.

Covetous (selfish) prayers are too expensive. Some have gained wealth and lost the truth and its service. Some have gained health only to find that with it they gained trials no less severe. Some have had their dear ones restored to them from the very jaws of death, only to wish afterwards that God had not answered their prayers, or more correctly, to wish that they had accepted the Lord’s wisdom and providences trustfully, contentedly, uncomplainingly.

Covetousness is one of the prevalent, close-girding sins that afflict the human family as the result of the fall. Many illustrations may be found in the history of natural Israel of their failure to obey the Tenth Commandment, which is a portion of our Scripture lesson today. One is to be found in the course of Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, recorded in II Kings, chapter five. Gehazi coveted the gifts with which Naaman had sought to reward Elisha, when, by following the prophet’s instructions he had been cleansed from his great affliction, leprosy, and which gifts the prophet had refused. Through lying and fraud Gehazi did gain some of the silver and changes of garments; but he also came under judgment declared by the Prophet Elisha: “The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever.”

What a lesson is here for the spiritual Israelites! At first it was only a thought in the mind of Gehazi; but a selfish thought, a covetous thought. Put into action it led to falsehood, fraud, deception, first directed toward Naaman; and then, in an effort to avoid detection by his master, toward Elisha. Leprosy is a symbol of sin and its consequences, death. How earnestly we should echo the inspired prayer, “Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins.”—Psa. 19:12-14

QUESTIONS:

Does the New Testament define covetousness so as to give an added significance to the Tenth Commandment?

Is covetousness consistent with (1) sacrifice? (2) contentment? (3) generosity?

What lessons are suggested by the covetous conduct of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha?

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