COVETOUSNESS IS DEADLY
Memorise: But godliness with
contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6
One of the commandments of God that must not be
neglected is the injunction against covetousness (Exodus 20:17, Luke 12:15).
Covetousness denotes having a strong desire for things that belong to other
people. The act is condemned in the strongest possible terms in scriptures (Ephesians 5:3, Colossians
3:5). Covetousness can take the form of having a strong desire for another
man’s money, goods, properties, spouse, position or title. Covetousness is
insidious. It spread gradually without being noticed, eventually causing
serious harm. It is very destructive. Covetousness is organic. It happens is a
slow, natural way. It spreads and grows so fast that before a covetous person
realises his state, the situation would have almost become irreversible.
Covetousness is deadly. It is capable if destroying both the coveter and the
person whose properties he or she desires. Covetousness is a spiritual disease,
and a contagious one at that. A bosom friend of a covetous person may end up
becoming covetous because “can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Many
evils and crimes are traceable to Covetousness, as seen in our Bible reading
today.
Going through scriptures, we can identify many fruits
of Covetousness. In Genesis 31:41, Covetousness was responsible for the
oppression Jacob faced in Laban’s house. Jacob was the son-in-law of Laban. He
served him faithfully as a shepherd, yet Laban was still covetous of the little
Jacob had, so much so that he made life unbearable for him. History is on
record that several wars were caused by covetousness, and several people have
been mercilessly oppressed because of this sin. Another fruit of Covetousness
is theft (Joshua 7:21) and robbery (1 Kings 20:6). Achan in Joshua 7:24-25 lost
his life and the lives of his wife and children to Covetousness. In 1 Kings
20:1-6, Benhadad the King of Syria
waged war against Israel
because of Covetousness. The prevailing problems of robbery, piracy, militancy,
terrorism and other issues of insecurity are traceable to Covetousness.
Covetousness is also responsible for meanness as seen in the case of Naboth and
Ahab. Many cases of meanness in earth are traceable to Covetousness. It is also
responsible for unscrupulousness and scoffing (2 Kings 5:20, Luke 16:14). A
born again child of God should not be covetous because Covetousness is not a
fruit of the spirit. Covetousness can result in serious family trouble
(Proverbs 15:27). It leads to disappointment (Ecclesiastes 5:10), folly
(Jeremiah 17:11), apostasy (1 Timothy 6:10) and misery (1 Kings 21:4). To avoid
Covetousness, examine your life on a daily basis and repent whenever a trait of
Covetousness is noticed.
Action Point
Are you covetous? Do a
personal assessment and repent if need be.
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