The Peril of Greed

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

EXODUS 20:17

THE word “covet” carries a wide range of meanings, such as to delight in, to wish for, desire, or plunder. In the commandment, “Thou shalt not covet,” it means a craving for something that is not one’s own. At its worst this would be the kind of greed that would lead a person to appropriate to himself what is rightfully and legally another’s, regardless of how the rightful owner might thereby be caused to suffer.

In this Tenth Commandment specific objects are mentioned which should not be coveted, and then the comprehensive statement, “anything that is thy neighbor’s.” Certainly every true Christian would want to quench any inordinate desire to possess that which is another’s.

LUKE 12:15-21

Here we have pointed out to us the futility of acquiring great possessions. Jesus said, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (vs. 15) Then follows the Parable of the Rich Man, whose ground brought forth plentifully.

This man was of course pleased with his abundant crop, and after giving the matter consideration, decided that to make room for what his land had produced he would pull down his barns and build larger ones. Here the idea of plundering what belonged to another is not the point of the lesson, but the greed of the man who had suddenly received from his land a bumper crop and could think of nothing better to do with it than to safeguard his own economic future, which he had doubtless already made secure, since he was rich.

Here the desirability of sharing instead of hoarding is not definitely stated, but it is clearly implied. The rich man, however, was well-pleased with the decision he made to hoard his enlarged crop, and said to himself, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” (vs. 19) But God said to this man, “Thou fool, this night thy soul [life] shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”—vss. 20,21

Jesus used this parable to teach a lesson to his disciples. He said to them, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.” (Luke 12:22,23) Those who live on this earth must needs give some thought to what they eat and wear, but Jesus wanted his disciples to realize that since they were consecrated to God and his cause it would be wrong for them to give such anxious thought to these material things as did the rich man of the parable.

I TIMOTHY 6:6

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” (vss. 6-8) How beautifully this harmonizes with Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Man—and certainly this is an important lesson for all Christians to learn.

“They that will be rich,” Paul continues, “fall into temptation and a snare” (vs. 9) Then he explains why: “For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (vs. 10) Those who covet money, Paul explains further, have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Money itself is not the root of all evil, but rather, an inordinate love for it. Money represents security, and should be given proper consideration; but it is not the Christian’s first priority. Our first priority is to lay down our lives in sacrifice in the Lord’s service.

QUESTIONS

What is meant by the word “covet”?

How much thought should a Christian give to the material needs of life?

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