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Covetousness “And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD” (Joshua 6:18-19).
Joshua 7:21 “When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.” Achan’s Admission
Covetousness When Covetousness gets the better of us, we forget… This world is not our home. 1 Peter 2:11-12 Hebrews 11:16
1 Peter 2:11-12 “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
Hebrews 11:16 “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” God’s children desire to be in a better place. A place where the material does not matter!
Covetousness When Covetousness gets the better of us, we forget… There is far greater treasure in heaven! Matthew 6:19-21 1 Corinthians 2:9
Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Money and possessions perish, but heaven is eternal!
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’” The treasures of heaven can not even be compared with earthly things!
Covetousness When Covetousness gets the better of us, we forget… We should be giving to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 2 Corinthians 9:7 James 1:17
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” • The covetous Christian either: • Grudgingly gives far less than he is able, or… • Gives next to nothing, and reasons that he will give more later when he gets wealth
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” The covetous can not please God, who has given us all we have…
Covetousness When Covetousness gets the better of us, we forget… No covetous person will enter heaven. Ephesians 5:5 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Ephesians 5:5 “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” In our society, covetousness is somewhat “respectable”, but…
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” Just as horrible as any other sin against God!
Conclusion Next time you find yourself aching (Achan) for some treasure, remember… “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)
