Covetousness

1
Covetousness

• And you, by all means abstain from the accursed
  things, lest you become accursed when you take of
  the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel
  a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver
  and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are
  consecrated to the LORD they shall come into the
  treasury of the LORD (Joshua 618-19).

2
Joshua 721

• When I saw among the spoils a beautiful
  Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of
  silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty
  shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there
  they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my
  tent, with the silver under it.
• Achans Admission

3
Covetousness
When Covetousness gets the better of us, we
forget

• This world is not our home.
• 1 Peter 211-12
• Hebrews 1116

4
1 Peter 211-12

• Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims,
  abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the
  soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the
  Gentiles, that when they speak against you as
  evildoers, they may, by your good works which
  they observe, glorify God in the day of
  visitation.

5
Hebrews 1116

• But now they desire a better, that is, a
  heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to
  be called their God, for He has prepared a city
  for them.

Gods children desire to be in a better place. A
place where the material does not matter!
6
Covetousness
When Covetousness gets the better of us, we
forget

• There is far greater treasure in heaven!
• Matthew 619-21
• 1 Corinthians 29

7
Matthew 619-21

• Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,
  where moth and rust destroy and where thieves
  break in and steal 20 but lay up for yourselves
  treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
  destroys and where thieves do not break in and
  steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your
  heart will be also.

Money and possessions perish, but heaven is
eternal!
8
1 Corinthians 29

• But as it is written Eye has not seen, nor ear
  heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The
  things which God has prepared for those who love
  Him.

The treasures of heaven can not even be compared
with earthly things!
9
Covetousness
When Covetousness gets the better of us, we
forget

• We should be giving to the Lord.
• 1 Corinthians 161-2
• 2 Corinthians 97
• James 117

10
1 Corinthians 161-2

• Now concerning the collection for the saints, as
  I have given orders to the churches of Galatia,
  so you must do also 2 On the first day of the
  week let each one of you lay something aside,
  storing up as he may prosper, that there be no
  collections when I come.

11
2 Corinthians 97

• So let each one give as he purposes in his
  heart, not grudgingly or of necessity for God
  loves a cheerful giver.

• The covetous Christian either
• Grudgingly gives far less than he is able, or
• Gives next to nothing, and reasons that he will
  give more later when he gets wealth

12
James 117

• Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
  above, and comes down from the Father of lights,
  with whom there is no variation or shadow of
  turning.

The covetous can not please God, who has given us
all we have
13
Covetousness
When Covetousness gets the better of us, we
forget

• No covetous person will enter heaven.
• Ephesians 55
• 1 Corinthians 69-10

14
Ephesians 55

• For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean
  person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has
  any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

In our society, covetousness is somewhat
respectable, but
15
1 Corinthians 69-10

• Do you not know that the unrighteous will not
  inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
  Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
  adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10
  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
  revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the
  kingdom of God.

Just as horrible as any other sin against God!
16
Conclusion

• Next time you find yourself aching (Achan) for
  some treasure, remember
• 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. (Hebrews 135)