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?
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