Am I Covetous?

Steven McCrary

Motivation • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Lessons of a Fool, or

Where do we see Covetousness?

Luke 12:16-21

In our lives

Theft

Eastern mindset – Anything abandoned and desirable is yours – “finders keepers, losers weepers”

This is why God specifies coveting even AFTER the command to refrain from stealing.

Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Exodus 34:23–24 “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel. For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.

Domestic problems

Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

All kinds of evil

1 Timothy 6:9–10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In religion

Most of our problems come from coveting the approval of men rather than God.

Mark 14:1–2 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

While they SHOULD be focused on this important feast to the Lord (as Jesus and His disciples are), they focus primarily on the will of the people.

Acts 5:1-11 – What were Ananias and Sapphira focused upon?

Who are the Pharisees of today?

Worship

If we covet the approval of men, our worship will not be about God, but about US.

Churches = social centers

Coffee shops, vending machines, etc.?

Recognizing worldly holidays and birthdays?

A spectacle rather than a collective effort

Rock concert atmosphere

“Mood” music and light effects

Building a physical “temple” rather than allowing God to live in the temple of our hearts

Hundreds of thousands of dollars on a building – for what?

Work

If we covet the approval of men, we will work on fixing the world rather than allowing God to fix US.

“Self-help”, counseling pushed as THE purpose of the Church.

Focus becomes secular.

Focus on “ministries”

Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

A church listing their “ministries” on their website has already broken Jesus’ command.

Benevolence

If we covet approval of men, we will help anyone and everyone with the “stuff” that belongs to the LORD.

Acts 5:4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Positive reinforcement: Things TO covet

Generally, the righteous desire GOOD things.

Psalm 19:7–11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Isaiah 26:8 Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You.

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; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 13:17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Time with those of like precious faith

Luke 22:15–16 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Philippians 1:23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

1 Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

2 John 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

Fulfillment of basic needs

Spiritual, mental, and material well-being

We have needs to be met.

1 Kings 19 - God provided for Elijah in a time of deep distress

Provided food and drink

Provided rest

Provided work

State of mind suffers when our needs are not met.

Person who denies themselves food to a point of suffering (starvation, bulimia, etc.)

Person who denies themselves affection or attention

Person who denies themselves time with the Lord. One on one

Person who spends all their time doing for others

Denying ourselves these needs leads to severe problems that primarily interfere with our faith.

Deuteronomy 14:26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.

Tithing under the Old Law. They were given leave to fulfill their desires in this aspect.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Luke 16:20–21 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Usefulness in Christ’s Kingdom

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Hebrews 6:10–12 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 11:24–26 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

BELUE

Nowhere are the battle lines more clearly drawn in the “war within” than in the realm of earthly “appetites”.

Romans 7:13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

As stated before, This is a battle “to the death” – the mission of the Christian is to conquer (overcome) every carnal desire, and bring “every thought into captivity unto the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Apart from the constraint imposed by the gospel, man yields to his baser self, and seeks to unlawfully gratify the very things God has bestowed upon him for good. Fleshly urges are part of man as God made him, and every fleshly transgression is but a perversion of that which was designed for man’s pleasure and benefit. Stated another way, man continually struggles between immediate and deferred gratification of his carnal self. Putting to death the “old man” (Eph 4:17-24) involves a redirection of one’s mindset AWAY from self, and TOWARD God and others. Often, it is a choice between impulse and reason, or serving one’s own pleasures and using and controlling those pleasures to serve God.

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.

1. LUST: (“strong desire”) COVET: (usually, “a desire for that which belongs to another”)

The Greek term is used in Scripture in either a good or bad sense:

Good:

–Jesus “lusted” Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

–Lazarus “lusted” Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

–Paul “lusted” Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:1 Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Evil:

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

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.

1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

(From Numbers 11:4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?.......31 And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, ....33 And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague.34 And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.

Notice the diff. In Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him., and Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.)

2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

COVET:

good –

1 Cor 12:31 – “covet earnestly the best gifts”

1 Cor 14:39 – “covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in tongues”

bad –

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.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

LUST DISCUSSED IN JAMES 1:13-16:

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

“Lust” is not always “sin”: (diff. In “temptation” and “sin”)

v. 14 – “a man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed”. This is not the same as “sin”, or Jesus would have sinned – He was “tempted” in all points like as we are (Heb 4:15)

“Enticed” (the hunter’s trick) 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

Sometimes, the entrance of a “strong desire” is unavoidable. The key is not to dwell on it, and allow it to “CONCEIVE”, or gain the consent of the mind.

“When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin”..

Note the parallel (a seed planted, emergence, growth, maturity) in the new birth to righteousness, maturity through trials, and the growth of sin from its conception.

We are “born again” – begotten by “seed”, which conceives and produces the new birth, from which we grow unto perfection (1 Pet 1:22,23; John 3:3,5; 1 Pet 2:2; Matt 13:23; Heb 5:12-6:2)

Trials come, patience is produced, and the end is salvation

Lust comes, conceives sin, which when full grown produces death!

Illustrated in the sin of Achan:

Joshua 7:20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

First, he SAW them (was drawn away, enticed)

Second, he COVETED them (lust conceived, gained the consent of his mind).

Third, he TOOK them (the conception of lust brought forth sin)

Fourth, he was taken and stoned and burnt with fire – the final result was “death”!

When lust is considered in all its evil effects; evil acts, hardening of the heart, rebellion and refusal to return = “death”!If left unresolved, if the heart is not tendered to repent and return, one reaches the point where he “cannot cease from sin”!

Defense against lust, coveting:

–Understanding what has real value!

“Things”, momentary pleasures which do not last count for little

Real value in relationships (family, marriage, church, God) These make life truly better, help

In the “long haul”

–Taking the “eternal view” Mt 6:19 – lay up “treasures in heaven”

Heb 11:26 – suffer affliction NOW, deny pleasure....FOR A SEASON

Because of the promised reward in deferring this.

– Living by the principle of “love” (“worketh no ill to his neighbor” – Rom 13:8-10