Beware Of Covetousness
“He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” – Luke 12:15
This is one of the red flags Jesus warned about, yet Covetousness is not really considered a sin today. If a man breaks the 6th or 8th commandment he is branded as a criminal and covered with shame, but if he breaks the tenth he is considered enterprising!
The Bible says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, but when we look around today, it appears that a man’s life consists of the vast amount of the things they own. Men think they become great according to the amount of wealth they accumulate. The world seems to measure people by the size of their bank account.
Yet, a person is measured by what he is – not by what he has. You will not find any encouragement in the Word to think about possessions or a command to add possessions. Yes, you will be blessed with them but they are not the measure of your worth.
The things that should matter most and that we should set our minds on are all the truly great and noble things of character. Here are two texts to think about, because they settle the matter:
“Whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control endurance, and to endurance godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7