First Read Joshua 6:16-19; 7:1-26
Achan’s tent
(dwelling place), livestock, possessions, and children were cursed by the lust of the eyes and coveteousness. The consequence that Achan, his children, and possessions were first stoned and then burned.
Covetousness builds a nest and begins multiplying, the same way that
foxes have holes and birds have nests (Luke 9:58) – when, through our
disobedience, we make a dwelling place (nest) for the devil, the curse begins
to multiply (make babies) and enlarge its possessions…
Coveteousness
is sin
Exodus
20:17 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.
Deuteronomy
5:21 Neither shalt
thou desire thy
neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or
his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy
neighbour’s.
Romans
7:7 What shall we say
then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the
law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. [did not know that lust was sin except the
law said “thou shalt not covet”]
Romans
13:9 For this, Thou
shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any
other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [Moral
law re-affirmed in New Testament]
Coveteousness is widespread
Jeremiah
6:13 For from the
least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and
from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. [corrupts even those who are supposed to be spiritual
leaders]
1
Corinthians 5:10 Yet
not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or
extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
Lucifer, in
selfish pride, coveted God’s throne
Isaiah
14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art
thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said
in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the
stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the
most High.
Sign of the
times
Romans
1:29 Being filled
with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;
full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
1
Timothy 6:10 For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the
faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2
Timothy 3:2 For men
shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,
2
Peter 2:14 Having
eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable
souls: an heart they have
exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
The Wicked, motivated by coveteousness, encourage covetousness and use your coveteousness to entrap you
Psalms
10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his
heart’s desire [lust], and blesseth [flatters] the covetous, whom
the LORD abhorreth.
Ezekiel
33:31 And they come
unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people,
and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but
their heart goeth after their covetousness.
2
Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they
with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long
time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. [it’s a trap!]
Covetousness [a.k.a materialism, consumerism] is a trap! To make merchandise of you, the strategy of
modern marketing and advertising is all about making you dissatisfied with what
you have and making you desire [gotta have!] something you don’t have. You have a perceived need and craving that
makes you act on impulse (bypass the judge at the gate) and gets you to spend
money you don’t have (debt) on something you don’t need, is not worth what you
paid (or owe), and can’t afford to keep.
Once you get it, you no longer want it and immediately want something
else...
Coveteousness
motive for violence and oppression
Jeremiah
22:17 But thine eyes
and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed
innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
Micah
2:2 And they covet
fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them
away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Luke
16:14 And the
Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided
him. [suppress the truth in unrighteousness]
Consequences
Habakkuk
2:9 ¶ Woe to him that
coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high,
that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
[Coveting motivates evil covetousness
(unjust gain). Don’t think that you can
escape the flood of evil consequences by building a house high on a hill, or a
high walled castle using unjust gain]
Jeremiah
8:10 Therefore will I
give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall
inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is
given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth
falsely. [God will leave them destitute]
Isaiah
57:17 For the
iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was
wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
Ephesians
5:5 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.
1
Corinthians 6:10 Nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall
inherit the kingdom of God.
Coveteousness
is a heart infection
Mark
7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Believers are not to covet
Acts
20:33 I have coveted
no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
1
Timothy 3:3 Not given
to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler,
not covetous;
1
Thessalonians 2:5 For
neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of
covetousness; God is witness:
Ephesians
5:3 But fornication,
and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as
becometh saints;
Cure for
Covetousness
Colossians
3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence [lustful fantasies], and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Proverbs
28:16 The prince that
wanteth [is lacking] understanding is
also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Exodus
18:21 Moreover thou
shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and
place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and
rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
1
Corinthians 5:11 But
now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a
drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [do not have fellowship/hang out with
covetousness people]
Change your
focus
Psalms
119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. [fill your heart with God’s word]
Proverbs
21:26 He coveteth
greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. [generosity, put others before self]
1
Corinthians 12:31 But
covet earnestly the best [spiritual] gifts: and yet shew I
unto you a more excellent way [charity].
1
Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore,
brethren, covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Luke
12:15 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
12:31-34 But
rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto
you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to
give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax
not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief
approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.
Contentment
Luke
3:1-18 …Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with
your wages…
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
4:11 Not that I speak
in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content.
1 Timothy 6:5-11 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
But godliness with
contentment is great gain. For
we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out. And having
food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which
drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows. But thou, O
man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, patience, meekness.
Thankfulness
Romans
1:21 Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was
darkened. [consequence of not being
thankful]
Ephesians
5:4 Neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient [proper/appropriate]: but rather giving of thanks.
Leviticus
22:29 And when ye will offer a sacrifice
of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.
1
Chronicles 23:30 And
to stand every morning to
thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even;
Psalms
103:2 Bless the LORD,
O my soul, and forget not
all his benefits:
Psalms
26:7 That I may
publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Psalms
30:12 To the end that
my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I
will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Psalms
69:30 I will praise
the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalms
92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto
the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
Psalms
116:17 I will offer
to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
Jesus gave
thanks
Matthew
15:36 And he [Jesus]
took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them,
and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. [Mark 8:6; John
6:11; John 6:23; Luke 22:19; Acts 27:35; Rom 14:6; 1Cor 11:24]
Matthew
26:27 And he took the
cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; [Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17]
Enter His
gates with thanksgiving
Psalms
100:4 Enter into his
gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful
unto him, and bless his name.
Psalms
95:2 Let us come
before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with
psalms.
Psalms
140:13 Surely the
righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy
presence.
2
Corinthians 4:15 For
all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the
thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
The yoke of covetousness offers no
peace or rest, with Jesus we have need of nothing and find rest
Colossians
3:15 And let the peace
of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful
Matthew
11:29 Take
my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew
11:28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
No comments :
Post a Comment