Beware Covetousness By John Hendrix Jesus gave this warning to His disciples: Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. (Luke 12:15) The words "covet", "covetous" and "covetousness" often appear in the scriptures-- usually with strong condemnation. Passages like these below should be ample warning to us to pay attention to this admonition of Jesus: . . . nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints. . . (Ephesians 5:3) What is this covetousness that we must put away from us? Like _lust_, covetousness is built on _desire_, typically _evil desire_. There are several ways that a desire can be or can become evil. Covetousness can refer to desire that has gotten out of control. In Luke 12:15 (quoted above), the desire may have started out innocently. We all need *some* possessions. We need food to eat and clothes to wear. And there is nothing wrong--by itself--with wanting a house to live in or a car to drive. But we must "take heed and beware" because desire can get the better of us. A modest desire may turn into lust or obsession. The desire for "things" can so fill our thinking that it crowds out the spiritual concerns that ought to be more important to us. We might test ourselves by this question: how much time do I spend thinking about earthly things that I "need" or want? Covetousness can also enslave a Christian. For example, a desire for a new house can lead a Christian into too much debt. This debt can take away from a his ability to give to Lord as he should, it could lead him (or her) to take jobs that he should not, it can even lead him into crime like tax evasion, extortion and plain old robbery. We must control our desires for earthly things. God has promised His faithful servants all that they need (Matthew 6:33). The stronger our desire grows for things we do not have, the less appreciation we have for God’s care. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) This word, covetousness, can refer to the strong love and attachment we may have for things that we already possess. The apostle Paul said, Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5) Our love and attachment to earthly things can challenge our love for God. A thing--like money--may become more important to us than serving God. We may begin to actually adore-- worship--some of our earthly possessions. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches]. (Matthew 6:24) This may manifest itself in _greediness_ (which is how the NIV translates the word in Colossians 3:5). A covetous man may not share his blessings with others that are in greater need. He loses the compassion a Christian *must* have to be pleasing to God: But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17) When we think too highly of our earthly possessions, we stop putting our treasures--and hearts--in heaven (Matthew 6:20-21). We cease to behave as strangers and pilgrims on a temporary journey through this life to eternity (Hebrews 11:13). In short, this covetousness makes us worldly-minded and we forget the reality of who we are: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:7) Finally, covetousness can be a desire for something that we have no right to. God first warned against this in the Ten Commandments: You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's. (Exodus 20:17) A Christian might very well offer to buy his neighbor’s car (or donkey). If the neighbor agrees, all is well. What if he refuses? The Christian is covetous if his mind is filled with the desire to own something that has been refused him. A Christian might very well think- -without sinning--that his neighbor’s wife is nice, friendly and attractive, but he is coveting--he is sinning--if he fills his mind with any notion of taking her for his own. In this way, covetousness might be considered desiring something *at the expense* of another. This certainly violates the commandment of love (Mark 12:31) and the principal Paul laid out: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4) In the garden of Eden we first read about the desire for something that man had no right to (Genesis 3:6). God had plainly forbidden the fruit of this tree, but Eve coveted it, and this covetousness led directly to disobedience. Satan gains his greatest victory when he makes us unsettled and unsatisfied with the limits imposed by God and the life that He has granted us. Since evil deeds begin as evil thoughts, covetousness is a danger that everyone should look out for: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man. . . (Matthew 15:19- 20) Christians, beware covetousness. Life is more important than any earthly possession. If we truly understand and believe that we are on a *short* journey to heaven, we will be surprised at what we can do without.