One of the Ten Commandments teaches us, “Thou shalt not covet.” Yet we continually want more and more. Some have desires for things so great they are willing to take extra work to fulfill their wants. They sacrifice family and church time for more stuff. Let me make it clear: there is nothing wrong with stuff as long as it is in its rightful place. God blessed Abraham, but He put God first. It becomes a sin when we choose things or the gain of things above our walk with the Lord. We are to put Him first, and He will provide the things, money, and opportunities He deems best for us.
Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
In Hebrews 13:5, we are taught that our conversation, which means conduct, is to be without covetousness. Our conduct, as taught in Philippians 1:27, is to be lived out so that we are a reflection of the One who saved us. We represent the King of Kings, and we should live in a manner that upholds all that He expects from us. If we do, we live an honorable and honest life that allows us to die with no regrets and a deep peace inside.
Living a life that is characterized by covetousness is forbidden in Ephesians 5:3, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.” Notice covetousness is linked with sexual immorality and all kinds of impurity. It is not to be talked about and accepted among believers. We would probably not link covetousness with sins as base as these, but God does. When we are dissatisfied with what God has given us we are of a mindset that we deserve better than God has provided. It paints a bad light on a Father that has been so good to us. This attitude comes from an ungrateful heart.
When a man is covetous, he pursues the riches of this world. Step by step, his heart turns toward himself and what he can do to gain the wealth and respect of this world. It is not just about things, but his attitude becomes one of pride as he achieves more and more. He forgets the God who has allowed him the ability to succeed. A covetous heart is never satisfied. One success drives him to achieve another. Soon, he is consumed with getting more, and he neglects his own soul. He is too busy to study his Bible. At first he tries to put the time in but his mind is not on God, after a while he completely stops seeking God. He goes through the motion of attending church and convinces himself that an offering compensates for skipping his prayer and study time. After a time, if this person doesn’t repent and seek God afresh and anew, he will walk away from the relationship with God that used to control him. The man who embezzles company funds and has an immoral relationship with his secretary feels he deserves it because his heart desires it. A covetous man cannot be satisfied.
Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
While a covetous man cannot be satisfied, a contented man cannot be unsatisfied. In Philippians 4:10-12 we see a great example of a contented man. Paul is in prison, and he is rejoicing in the Lord that he is being cared for by other believers. In verse 11, he makes the statement that he has learned to be content with whatever he has. He has experienced both prosperity and poverty. He doesn’t feel worthy of the blessings of God. God gets the glory for every good thing in his life. He can be content because his goal in life is not to have more stuff, but to have more of God. He is experiencing the promise from God in Hebrews 13:5 for those who are content, “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Philippians 4:10-12 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
We may struggle to pay the bills and never seem to achieve the things that others do, but if pleasing God is our goal, we can live a happy and peaceful life. God may bless us with riches, as he did Abraham, but a contented person will use whatever God has placed in his hands for God’s glory. Things will not become more important than people; they will only be tools used to minister to others.
Excellent