Covetousness: How Should We Protect Ourselves?
Today we confront a subtle yet insidious danger that lurks within the human heart: covetousness. Our text comes from the very lips of our Lord Jesus in Luke 12:15, where He warns, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in his abundance of possessions." This seemingly simple statement carries a profound warning about the deceptive nature of wanting more and the true essence of life.
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INTRODUCTION:
A. The Word "GREED AND COVET" is defined as the desire to have more, a vehement longing to acquire something. While a desire can be lawful, as Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:31 regarding earnestly desiring the greater gifts, covetousness is a reproved and forbidden form of desire. It is a gross manifestation of selfishness, deeply offensive to God. It is desiring, yearning, wanting, regardless of the ethical or moral means employed to obtain it.
B. Jesus tells his disciples to be vigilant, vigilant, and alert to guard themselves against all forms of covetousness. This repetition underscores the seriousness of the threat. Covetousness is not a minor flaw but a dangerous inclination that requires constant vigilance and diligent self-control.
C. Christians must be vigilant and guard against all forms of covetousness, since covetousness is a sin, and because it is sinful, it offends God. As followers of Christ, we are called to live lives that are pleasing to our Father. Covetousness, in its self-centeredness and disregard for God's provision and the well-being of others, stands in direct opposition to His will.
I. WHAT SHOULD WE NOT COVET?
The Scriptures provide specific examples of what we must guard our hearts against coveting.
A. We must not covet:
1. Our neighbor's wife (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Matthew 5:28). The tenth commandment clearly forbids this. Jesus elevates this even further, stating that looking at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in the heart. This is the path David tragically walked (2 Samuel 11:1-4), demonstrating the destructive power of unchecked desire.
2. Neither her male servant, nor her female servant, nor her ox, nor her donkey, nothing. This comprehensive list in the commandments emphasizes that we should not fixate on acquiring anything that belongs to our neighbor. Any of these things can lead us to want to obtain her in any way or form, even through violence, as seen in the wicked actions of Ahab towards Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-13), who coveted his vineyard.
3. Do not covet the silver or gold that covers any image (Deuteronomy 7:25). This warns against the allure of idolatry and the material wealth associated with it. Achan's sin (Joshua 7:20-25), driven by the coveting of forbidden spoils, brought disaster upon the entire nation.
4. Do not covet the beauty of an adulterous woman (Proverbs 6:25). This specific warning aims to protect us from the snare of sexual immorality. Lustful desire, fueled by coveting, can lead to devastating consequences.
5. We should not covet the delicacies of rulers (Proverbs 23:3). This speaks to the temptation of worldly indulgence and the potential for it to lead us astray from a life of simplicity and devotion to God. Daniel's refusal to defile himself with the king's food (Daniel 1:5, 8, 13, 15-16) provides a powerful example of resisting such temptation.
6. We should not covet other people's property (Micah 2:2). This broadens the scope beyond specific items, reminding us that a constant desire for what belongs to others is contrary to God's will.
7. We should not covet silver or gold, like the apostle Paul. He himself declared that he had not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing (Acts 20:33). Instead, he worked with his own hands, setting an example of contentment and self-sufficiency to avoid this very sin.
8. We should not covet money (1 Timothy 6:10). Paul explicitly states that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil," leading to many sorrows and foolish desires.
B. We should not covet anything we have seen, because it will lead us to ruin. Unchecked desires, fueled by what we observe in others' lives, can spiral into discontentment and ultimately lead us down a path of sin and destruction.
II. EVILS OF THE COVETOUS
Covetousness is not a harmless inclination; it breeds a host of destructive consequences.
A. The covetous are consumed by envy (Job 5:2). He will always be envious of what others possess; his desire is never satisfied. He will constantly yearn for his neighbor's house, wife, vehicle, job, and so on. It is a bottomless pit of discontent.
B. The covetous man troubles his house (Proverbs 15:27). The context suggests that ill-gotten gain, often acquired through dishonest means driven by covetousness, brings turmoil and conflict into the home. There will be quarrels and grievances from those who believe themselves harmed by the covetous man's dishonest behavior.
1. This can manifest when someone steals, and the victims come seeking restitution, disrupting the peace of the thief's household.
2. In its extreme form, as Proverbs 1:19 suggests, covetousness can even lead to violence and the taking of life in order to seize what is desired.
C. Anxieties and greed choke the word (Mark 4:19). Jesus, in the parable of the sower, identifies the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things as thorns that choke the growth of God's Word in our hearts. Covetousness breeds anxieties and a relentless pursuit of more, leaving no room for spiritual nourishment.
D. Let us beware of covetousness, for it will lead us to ruin. Let us beware of having a heart trained to covetousness (2 Peter 2:14). Peter warns against false teachers whose hearts are "trained in greed," highlighting the insidious nature of this sin that can become deeply ingrained.
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CONCLUSION:
A. God desires that we guard ourselves from all forms of covetousness, but to guard ourselves we must be vigilant. This requires constant self-examination, prayer, and a commitment to contentment in God's provision.
B. We should not covet anything, neither a woman, nor silver, nor gold, nor a house, nor property. Nothing, so as not to fall into this sin and offend God. The scope of this warning is comprehensive. We must train our hearts to find our satisfaction in Christ alone, rather than in the fleeting allure of material possessions or the perceived advantages of others.
C. May God help us to be vigilant against covetousness, which... (the sermon ends here, but the intended continuation is clear: covetousness separates us from God and leads to destruction). Let us pray for the strength to cultivate hearts of gratitude and contentment, finding our true treasure in the unfailing love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
