major feasts in the Bible

ADULT STS LESSON 112 WARNING AGAINST 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 the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).

TEXT: Luke 12:13-34

 

The sin of covetousness is one of the many evils that have impeded the progress of many heaven-bound pilgrims. In order to overcome it, the Lord Jesus consistently warned His disciples against its ruinous effects. In our text, Christ points out three evils that are detrimental to the Christian pilgrim, namely: hypocrisy, covetousness and anxiety. The Greek word pleonexia, translated as covetousness, means to lust more and more; to have a starving appetite for something; to have love of possessing; to crave after. God forbids and frowns at the sin of covetousness. In the Law, He commanded the children of Israel: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s (Exodus 20:17). Also, Christ warned His disciples against covetousness because an individual’s life does not depend solely on the size of wealth or riches he or she has amassed (Luke 12:15). Apostle Paul, by inspiration, likened covetousness to the sin of idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

 

  1. THE PERIL OF COVETOUSNESS

Luke 12:13-21; Genesis 3:6; Joshua 7:1, 19-21,24,25; Proverbs 28:22: 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Peter 2:14-16

 

And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me” (Luke 12:13). A man came to Jesus and requested that the Lord bid his brother to share inheritance with him, instead of seeking salvation. This prompted Christ to warn about the danger of covetousness. The sin of covetousness is very subtle. Dwight L. Moody testified that in over forty years of his ministry, he had heard many private and public confessions of sin, but none was on covetousness. This is because it is never considered as sin even though it is heinous, subtle, deadly and damaging to the soul. Over time, covetousness has plunged many people, communities and nations into penury because of the unbridled desire to acquire wealth and fame at the.detriment of others. This confirms what the Preacher said: “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Paul, the apostle equates a covetous person with an idolater: “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:5). As a matter of fact, the major breeding agents for covetousness are worldly riches, political power, positions of authority, popularity and the cares of this life. The perils of worldly riches and covetousness to the Christian are numerous.

One, they becloud a person’s vision about his or her eternal inheritance. While Jesus taught the disciples about heavenly virtues, a young man requested Him to intervene in sharing the inheritance between him and his brother. The request was untimely and a distraction to Christ’s ministry which was primarily to save souls. The lesson here is that we must guard against the influence of materialism. Jesus as a family Umpire rather than a spiritual Guide over eternal values.

Two, the young man thought of and Mentor (Luke 12:13). Jesus focused on His ministration to the audience about the necessity of getting to heaven rather than being dragged into family issues. When believers go for evangelism, they should not be distracted by non-essential issues.

Three, Christ’s response to the young man’s request shows that a Christian leader must not be a busybody in other men’s matters to the detriment of the flock he or she is called to cater for, particularly if such matters are outside the demand of true scriptural principles.

Four, covetousness binds the heart to transient things of this world at the expense of eternal treasures. Lot’s wife, Achan and Judas Iscariot met their untimely death because of covetousness (Genesis 19:26; Joshua 7:19-21; Matthew 27:3,4). Balaam and Demas lost their ministerial portfolios as a result of covetousness (2 Peter 2:14-16; 2 Timothy 4:10). Covetousness lured Adam and Eve to disobey God by yielding to Satan’s bait of the forbidden fruit. Gehazi became leprous because of this same vice (2 Kings 5:20,27).

Five, covetousness provides an express gateway to eternal damnation (Matthew 27:3,4).

 

  1. PERSPECTIVE OF GOD’S WORD ON PROSPERITY

Luke 12:22-30; Matthew 6:25-33; Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:6,19; 1 Timothy 6:6; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:7

 

Having warned the disciples against covetousness, Jesus deemed it necessary to also caution them on the danger of worry and anxiety. Believers are expected to shun these vices so that they can live long, Take no thought...” In other words, do not worry; be calm in any circumstance concerning a need or lack. As Lord, Christ knows all we need – physical, spiritual, material or financial. He abhors worry or anxiety amongst His followers as it portrays a lack of faith and trust in the unfailing promises of the ever-faithful God. Worry or anxiety brings about fear which in turn engenders torment. The Scripture affirms that: …God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Many people have lost their health and lives as a result of deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things have choked the word of God in their hearts, giving room to fear, worry and anxiety. But there is gain in maintaining calmness of spirit and a peaceful disposition. The Lord points us to four independent lessons about natural things.

One, how God sustains the sparrows

Two, divine provision for the physical development and growth of all living things;

Three, the care for ephemeral lilies that would soon wither away;

Four, the omniscience of God over the needs of all His creature in the entire world.

It therefore, implies that if God feeds the sparrows, clothes the lilies, takes care of the fish in the sea and provides rain in its due season, then He will do more for His own children who are made in His own image, after His likeness (Genesis 1:26; 2 Peter 1:3,4).

 

  1. THE PROFIT OF GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT

Luke 12:31-34; Proverbs 30:8,9; Ecclesiastes 1:1-3,14 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17

 

Christ neither recommended poverty as a criteria for making heaven nor did He isolate prosperity or wealth as the parameter for going to hell. His counsel and instruction to man is to “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these thing shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). True riches come from God. Believers must avoid both extremes on the issue of riches. Abraham was rich without any condemnation from God. “And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold” (Genesis 13:2). Isaac was also prosperous without any divine reprimand. The Bible concludes that Isaac “…had possession of flock and possession of herds, and great store of servants and the Philistines envied him” (Genesis 26:14). In the New Testament, Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man. Christ is not averse to the legitimate possession of wealth or riches. However, it is the sinful, avaricious and covetous attitude in acquiring wealth that He condemns. From a purely biblical perspective, we should see the dangers which material possessions and wealth can constitute to the spiritual welfare of heaven-bound saints if not well managed in the fear of God. The story of the rich young ruler teaches us a number of lessons about riches or wealth.

One, the more of the world’s goods an unconverted person has, the more difficult it is for him or her to leave it behind and follow Christ wholeheartedly.

Two, possession of riches through fraudulent means can lead to pride and self-management. This was why Paul cautioned believers not to be high-minded or trust in uncertain riches.

Three, riches, if not gracefully managed by the recipient, can absorb his or her full attention and turn such a person from God. Solomon’s wealth led him to marry many idolatrous women who later made him forsake God.

Four, rich people are normally tempted to avoid association with the poor and lowly.

Five, riches can make people have a false sense of security and blind them to their true spiritual condition.

Six, riches have the great danger of deadening a person’s spiritual sensitivity.

Seven, most people who are very rich hardly share their wealth with the poor, widows, needy ones and orphans.

They usually identify with the highly-placed and popular people in the society. These reasons account for why it is difficult for a rich person to make heaven (Mark 10:23). The Scripture summarizes the disposition of the rich: “The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends (Proverbs 14:20). Most rich individuals are covetous, avaricious, proud, selfish and oppressive. These are what the Scripture condemns and not their riches. However, there are some believers who, like Barnabas and Lydia, use their wealth to advance the work of God and help the needy. Again poverty, in itself, is not a divine instrument to get to heaven, and it does not glorify God. That Lazarus was poor was not the reason he made heaven. It was because he was adjudged by God to be godly, for He searches the hearts of all men. That someone is poor does not guarantee heaven automatically. Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Both the poor and rich can be covetous. Everyone should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness to obtain salvation. Believers should combine godliness, contentment and shun covetousness if they are determined to make heaven their goal.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:

  1. What is covetousness and how does it affects Christian pilgrim?
  2. Enumerate the dangers of worldly riches and covetousness.
  3. How can believers stay free from the sin of covetousness?
  4. Mention the gains of godliness and contentment in the lives of believers.
  5. What are the biblical views on poverty and prosperity?
  6. How best can a believer manage riches?
  7. Why is the love of money the root of all evil?

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