Covetousness Is Idolatry

Colossians 3:
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

What are idols? Anything that drives you to covetousness. Everyone has their own
idols that they must remove to come before The Lord with an honest and sincere heart.
Paul gives this stern warning.

1 Corinthians 10:12. Let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except as is common to man; but God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.

We must build ourselves up by the words of the apostles and prophets.
Ephesians 2:
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens
with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
Himself being the chief cornerstone,
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple
in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Will we stop and consider the words of this prophet?

Ezekiel 14:
3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity. Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?
4 Therefore speak to them, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,
5 that I may seize the house of Israel by their heart, because they are all estranged from Me by their idols.

When I made a commitment to the Lord to consecrate my retirement to deep devotional
time and writing, I gave up playing online chess, and listening to music!
Firstly, that saved the cost of my chess.com and spotify subscriptions.
There was a huge time and attentiveness transformation.
Most importantly, I felt a greater purity in my heart for God's Word.
It is not a sin to play chess online, or listen to music, but for some like myself, it can
easily be an idol. Will you consider your idols today, and lay them aside for the Gospel?

Luke 12:15. And He said to them, Take heed and beware of covetousness,
for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.

2 Peter 2:3. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words;
for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction
does not slumber.

Hebrews 13:5. Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content
with such things as you have. For He Himself has said,
I will never leave you nor forsake you.

SunAndRain said:

For practical application, I took some time to think of what are my basic needs now as a Christian, not retired but whose children have left the nest.

• Food, shelter, clothing
• Work and whatever items are necessary to do it
• A Bible—and perhaps access to a resource to clarify occasional questions
• Prayer
• Christian fellowship and mutual support
• Whatever physical items or intangibles (for example, level of quiet or location) are necessary to accomplish how God wants me to serve

Question: In addition to prayer, how would any areas of covetousness (idols) become clear?

Click to expand...

Time. How you prioritize/compartmentalize.
Money is big. It defines your view of stewardship. How do you spend God's money?
Sensitivity to others and their needs may or may not be a function of covetousness,
depending on what is preoccupying you. Maybe you are just anxious for yourself.
You know what the Lord and His apostles taught about fretting.