Covetousness

He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses." - Luke 12:15

This is one of the red flags Jesus hung out which most people today don't seem to give much attention. Christ said a great deal about the danger of riches; but not many people are afraid of riches. Covetousness is not really considered a sin today. If a man breaks the sixth or eighth commandment he is branded as a criminal and covered with shame, but if he breaks the tenth he is considered enterprising!

The Bible says the love of money is a root of all evil; but every man who quotes the saying puts a terrific emphasis on the word “love,” explaining that it is not money, but only the love of it, that is such a prolific root.

Look around you today -- you would think a person's life consists in the vast amount of the things they own. Men think they become great according to the amount of wealth they accumulate. The world seems to measure people by the size of their bank account. Yet there never was a more fatal error. A person is measured by what he is -- not by what he has. You may find a shriveled soul in the midst of great fortune, and a noble soul in the depths of poverty.

The first things to gather in our life are all the truly great and noble things of character. Here are two texts to think about, because they settle this question:

“Whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.” - Philippians 4:8

“and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.” - 2 Peter 1:5-7

Notice there is no encouragement to think about possessions. No command to add possessions.

Are you secretly wanting to own more and more things? What can you do today to add spiritual wealth to your life?

Reprogramme Your Mind

"Let God transform the way you think" - Romans 12:2 NLT

Behind everything you do, there's a thought! So if you're serious about changing your life, you must change how you think. That's not easy, and it doesn't happen instantly. Picture yourself in a boat with the automatic pilot set to go in a certain direction, then you suddenly decide to go somewhere else.

First option: willpower. Grab the wheel and force it to go where you want; by sheer willpower, overcome the autopilot. But you'll feel constant resistance. Your arms will get tired, and when you let go of the wheel, guess what? The boat will go the way it's programmed to go. Get the idea? That's what happens when you try to change your life through willpower: 'I'll force myself to quit drinking, cheating, or overeating', and so on. Your willpower can only produce short-term change, but it creates constant stress because you haven't dealt with the root cause and reprogrammed your mind. The change doesn't feel natural so eventually you give up, revert to your old patterns and say, 'I guess this is just the way I am. I'll never change.' 

Second option: God's power. There is a better way! The Bible says, '... Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.' Change always begins in your mind! The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act. You say, 'How can I change the way I think?' By programming your mind each day with God's Word. 'How can a... man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word' (Psalm 119:9 NKJV).

Insights Into Ageing (5)

"The fear of the Lord adds length to life" - Proverbs 10:27 NIV

Our culture venerates rock stars and sports figures, yet often marginalises its most knowledgeable and seasoned people. How foolish! As God's family we should treat one another according to His values. Consider how He wants us to regard our aged.

First, we must honour them: '... Show respect for the elderly and revere your God... ' (Leviticus 19:32 NIV). Notice, it's a commandment, not an option. Failing to respect the elderly is failing to respect God; it bears the divine, not the cultural signature! So remember it and teach it to your children. 'A grey head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness' (Proverbs 16:31 NAS). 

Second, we must encourage them. Encouraging them doesn't mean patronising, babying and doing everything for them. These behaviours destroy their dignity and disempower them. Encouraging them means believing in their God-given abilities and emphasising their positive, productive qualities. It means motivating them to stay involved in significant service, not just busying them with meaningless and humiliating mundane tasks.

. They feel like they're making a difference when their skills and wisdom are recognised. Third, we must support them. This includes financial and material assistance offered according to practical, biblical guidelines (1 Timothy 5:1-16). Failing here means we've '... denied the faith and [are] worse than an unbeliever' (v. 8 NKJV). Support means including them as a vital part of our family and church activities. Supporting them also requires that we regularly talk to God about them and their needs.

Insights Into Ageing (4)

"The fear of the Lord adds length to life" - Proverbs 10:27 NIV

Don't let fear dominate your later years. Don't let life's 'unknowables', such as finances, health, loneliness, loss of friends and family members, get you down. The Bible says, '... You do not know the path of the wind... how bones are formed in the womb... you do not know the activity of God... ' (Ecclesiastes 11:5 NAS). 

There's much in life you'll never know, yet God has brought you this far! So, 'Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do... He's the one who will keep you on track. 

Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God... Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life... ' (Proverbs 3:5-8 TM). It's who, not what, you know that will prosper and protect you all of your days. Put the unknown into God's hand and trust Him with your worries. 'Sow your seed in the morning [your youthful years] and do not be idle in the evening [your older years]' because your evening and your morning sowing 'will succeed... both of them... ' (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NAS). 

Activate, don't vegetate! And decide to rejoice every day. General MacArthur said, 'Years may wrinkle the skin, but giving up interest wrinkles the soul. When the wires are down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and icy cynicism, then and only then, have you grown old.' Determine to add joy to the gift of long life. 'Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all... ' (Ecclesiastes 11:8 NAS).

Insights Into Ageing (3)

"The fear of the Lord adds length to life" - Proverbs 10:27 NIV

 Ageing well requires that you stay flexible. The Bible says, '... Clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall. If you worry about the weather and don't plant seeds, you won't harvest a crop' (Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 CEV). Certain things are inevitable in life. Clouds bring the rain. Trees fall in a storm. Like the weather, circumstances arise that you can't control. 

Hazard-free living is a myth; every undertaking entails risk. 'If you dig a pit, you might fall in; if you break down a wall, a snake might bite you. You could even get hurt by... chopping a log' (Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 CEV). You say, 'At my age, I play it safe and take no chances.' Avoiding risk guarantees missing what God has for you just ahead.

 So how can you enjoy the final years of your life? Don't avoid; rather, adjust, adapt and advance. But be practical; pace yourself! What if things take longer to do than when you were younger? Yes, your energy level may require more frequent breaks, but your advanced years allow you more time and less hurry than your frantic past. 

Slow down; embrace this opportunity to accomplish things you've never attempted. In his eighties, Rubinstein amazed audiences with his piano-playing skills. Gladstone became Britain's Prime Minister for the fourth time in his eighties. John Wesley preached every day aged 88. Moses led Israel at 120. Caleb led his troops against an army of giants at 80, and won. Two-thirds of the world's greatest works of art were accomplished by people over 65. Don't let a little rain, a falling tree or a possible risk stop you.

Insights Into Ageing (2)

"The fear of the Lord adds length to life" - Proverbs 10:27 NIV

The secret of ageing well is staying young at heart, staying close to God, and staying fully engaged with life. The mirror isn't your problem; how you see yourself is. Have you noticed how 'young' some older people are, and how 'old' their peers seem? Seeking the elusive fountain of youth isn't the answer, nor is surrendering to time and fate. Rather, do these two things. First, be realistic! 

Nothing is sillier than a woman made up to recreate what she hasn't been for decades - except an older man in an unbuttoned shirt flashing jewellery intended to recreate the macho image of a lost youth. When you are comfortable with your age and stage of life, others will be too. Solomon points out that age decreases vigour, dims vision, slackens muscles, stiffens joints, whitens hair, and so on (Ecclesiastes 12:1-5 TM). 

Vitamins, exercise and a good attitude help, but you must be realistic in order to handle ageing with dignity. Second, keep giving. 'Be generous; invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others... ' (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 TM). 

Don't stop investing your energy and resources into God's kingdom because you think it's time for the young folk to take over. If you do that loneliness and depression will set in, and illness and death soon follow. When you shut the door, draw the curtains and isolate yourself, you're old at any age. But when you stay in the mainstream, give yourself to God and others, you'll stay young all your life!

Insights Into Ageing (1)

"The fear of the Lord adds length to life" - Proverbs 10:27 NIV

When asked about the benefits of living to be 100 years old, one centenarian smiled and said, 'There's very little peer pressure.' Thanks to medical science we're living to our eighties, nineties and beyond. But living longer means dealing with the realities of ageing. Our youth-orientated culture often gives old age a bad image, but clearly God doesn't agree. 

To Him, old age is the reward for a life well-lived, a privilege earned, an accomplishment worth celebrating, and wisdom shared to benefit succeeding generations. For the next few days let's observe some things about ageing.

Note how God sees ageing. He views long life as evidence of His favour. He says, '... Through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life' (Proverbs 9:11 NIV). Longevity, with all its aches and pains, is a blessing. 'The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.' You say, 'But who will take care of me when I get old?' Don't worry, God will be there for you: '... "I have cared for you since you were born... I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age... I will care for you"... ' (Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT). 

What an insurance policy! Is there proof that He does? Yes, ask the Psalmist. 'Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread' (Psalm 37:25 NLT).