The Sin of Covetousness

MEMORY VERSE: “And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.” —Luke 12:15

EXODUS 20:17; LUKE 12:13-21, 29-31

THERE is much inequality in the world and among the Lord’s people, insofar as the material good things of life are concerned. Some possess more than others. Some enjoy better health than others. Happy are those who have learned to be content with such things as they have. Paul wrote that “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”—I Tim. 6:6,7

Continuing, Paul wrote, “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”—vss. 8-10

If we should find ourselves secretly coveting the blessing enjoyed by another, it would be helpful to remember the great truth set forth in our memory verse; namely, that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” The highest happiness does not come through the accumulation of more wealth, but through sharing what we have with those less fortunate than ourselves.

Paul quoted Jesus as saying that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) A few have learned to follow a selfish course, thinking that happiness is to be found through the accumulation of more and more of this world’s goods. We can hardly expect that mankind in general will take a different view prior to the full establishment of Christ’s kingdom. But the Lord’s people, who are endeavoring to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, have experienced the joy of giving and the foolishness of selfishly hoarding the wealth of this present evil world.

As Paul wrote, it is “the love of money” that is “the root of all evil.” The possession of money is not in itself an evil. It is only as we set our affections upon wealth, and set aside all else in order to attain it, that we are following a course of unrighteousness. There is always the temptation to worship the “money god,” but the Lord’s people should be on the alert to detect even the slightest disposition to practice this form of idolatry.

The parable of the rich man in our lesson presents an interesting study. His land brought forth plentifully. This was a blessing from the Lord, but the rich man was not in the proper condition of heart and mind to appreciate this fact and to seek the Lord’s guidance in the best way to use the extra assets which his fertile land had produced. He thought only of himself, and of how he could hoard his extra wealth for future security. He decided to pull down his barns and build larger ones. Thus he could store the extra produce entirely for himself.

Having done this he felt that he had attained that which would make him happy, so he said to his soul, “Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” Thus the wasted life of a selfish man came suddenly to an end. His covetousness did not benefit him.

In this parable there is an interesting use of the word “soul.” First the rich man addresses his own soul, and then the Lord tells him that his soul will be required of him. According to the theory that the soul is a separate entity from the body, it would be difficult to imagine a man addressing his own soul; however, such a theory of the soul is not scriptural. The soul is the being. The rich man was simply talking to himself, gloating over his supposed good fortune. The soul can also be thought of as one’s life, and the Lord simply said that the rich man’s life would be required of him.

Jesus’ admonition to his followers not to seek food and clothing does not mean that they are to be lax in providing a proper living for themselves and their families. They are to seek “first” the kingdom of heaven. This is to be their chief aim in life. All else should be incidental and not be permitted to consume more time and energy than is necessary. Christians are not to take anxious thought for the necessities of this life.

QUESTIONS

Why should Christians guard against covetousness?

Are Christians to make no effort at all to provide the necessities of life?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |