"Take heed and keep yourselves from all covetousness:"
Luke 12:15
These words of Jesus were spoken in response when a man in the crowd interrupted him as he spoke of the Spirit giving disciples words when threatened. We might become indignant about the interruption.
Jesus used it to warn plainly of one of our most common sins--
always wanting more . The Greek, pleonxia, means, to have more.
The 10th commandment was not to covet anything that belonged to
our neighbor. We easily see this desire in others, but it has often snared and hurt us too.
Jesus went on to speak a parable of a rich man whose ground brought forth abundantly, and who planned early retirement complete with indulgence. But the One whom he refused cut short his life.
On several occasions Jesus taught, "You cannot serve God and riches."
One day some lovers of money scoffed at him for saying that, he replied:
"You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knows your hearts; for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God." It is a fearful thing to scoff at the Son.
"As for me, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved." Psalm 30:5
The Lord was gracious to David,
"Thou didst hide Thy face; I was troubled."
By just hiding his face, the Lord troubled David,
and drew him back to Himself.
David learned his life did not consist in the abundance he had received.
What will it take to trouble us?
Jesus will give us clean hearts if we ask.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain: for we brought nothing into this world, neither can we carry anything out; but having food and clothes we shall be therewith content."
1 Timothy 6: 6-8