"Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
(Luke 12:15 NLT)
This man interrupted our Lord Jesus with a request for justice between his brother and himself (Luke 12:13). Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter with the above statement.
Covetousness and greed are of diverse kind. They may even be disguised in a legitimate right. Covetousness is terrible, it can never allow someone to lay up treasures in heaven (Like 12:21). It focuses our attention on here and now. It distracts us from focussing on eternity. It is a deadly sin. God warned the children of Israel against it in the law of Moses.
It is the desire to have more and be more, but not to the glory of God but our own glory. It is the desire to have what already belong to another. It arises out of empty comparison of our lives with others. When I begin to compare myself to other, I am creating a breeding ground for covetousness.
Sometimes, others try to create this unwholesome desire in me. They do this by cleverly showcasing their "goods". I must immediately identify it for what it is and ask God to help my heart against it.
ACTION PLAN: God created each and everyone of us in unique ways. In what way am I comparing myself to other? Beware!
PRAYER: Oh Lord deliver me from covetousness, help me to guard against it.
(Luke 12:15 NLT)
This man interrupted our Lord Jesus with a request for justice between his brother and himself (Luke 12:13). Jesus went straight to the heart of the matter with the above statement.
Covetousness and greed are of diverse kind. They may even be disguised in a legitimate right. Covetousness is terrible, it can never allow someone to lay up treasures in heaven (Like 12:21). It focuses our attention on here and now. It distracts us from focussing on eternity. It is a deadly sin. God warned the children of Israel against it in the law of Moses.
It is the desire to have more and be more, but not to the glory of God but our own glory. It is the desire to have what already belong to another. It arises out of empty comparison of our lives with others. When I begin to compare myself to other, I am creating a breeding ground for covetousness.
Sometimes, others try to create this unwholesome desire in me. They do this by cleverly showcasing their "goods". I must immediately identify it for what it is and ask God to help my heart against it.
ACTION PLAN: God created each and everyone of us in unique ways. In what way am I comparing myself to other? Beware!
PRAYER: Oh Lord deliver me from covetousness, help me to guard against it.
