Overcoming Covetousness

Overcoming Covetousness

By Apostle Felix

15  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.

Luke 12: 15, 16

Jesus warned us against covetousness. If Jesus did, then it is something we have to pay attention to as individuals and as the church. It is very observable that the church has been drifting into covetousness lately. The main message of the church has been money, and how one can make more of it. Some have benefited from the message, while others have been devastated by the same. Covetousness has blinded many to the main tenets of our faith. Money has become an attraction of one becoming a believer in Christ. And some have vowed to stay far from church because of how they were financially defrauded. However, this is not to say that money is evil in itself. Money ain’t evil. It is the love of money that is the root of all evil.

10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6: 10

So, let us not conclude that money is evil and that it should be avoided. That’s not the point, but rather to say that we have to avoid covetousness as Jesus warned us.

What’s Money?

Money is a legal paper accepted by general consent as a medium of economic exchange. It is the medium in which prices and values are expressed. The real value is in commodities, not necessarily in money. It is the commodity that determines the price, not money. The more valuable the commodity is, the more one has to pay for it. Value is also in the services that man renders. The service determines value. The quality of the service will determine the quantity of money. So then, our focus should be on how to improve our services as opposed to coveting money. 

The Rich Fool

In ancient times, the firstborn received a double portion of the family inheritance. Most likely, the young man that came to Jesus was not the firstborn and wanted a fair distribution of the inheritance, even when he knew the tradition of the time. He ignored the tradition because of covetousness. Jesus refuted the idea of becoming an arbitrator in the matters of his family. And he then warned him of covetousness., and cited the parable of the rich fool to him and people who were around.

5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 

1 Timothy 6: 5, 6

The rich man was materially and financially blessed. He had so much from his land that he sold some and had plenty left which he decided to store. His family had more than enough to eat and were living extravagantly. Yet, the man all he thought about was how to accumulate and become more richer. He did not realize that riches are not for hoarding but meant for helping others in need. The joy of riches is in helping others and advancing the kingdom of God.

35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20: 35

How To Overcome:

1. Understand Value – Its value that brings money, and not vice versa. So the emphasis should not be money but how can I add value to my people, my nation and so on and so forth. Bank robbers and thieves are  incarcerated because their focus is money and not value. Start thinking of how I can make my society better. That kind of attitude towards money destroys covetousness. The miracle money scheme in church is the biggest scandal. God does not put money into people’s pockets and skips works.

2. Discover the Purpose of Money – The failure to discover the purpose of a thing, abuse is inevitable. It is possible to be in the hands of money, when one does not understand the purpose of money. Money has the power to rule over man.

24  “How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!” 

Matthew 6: 24

Mammon is real, the spirit behind money. The reason why God prospers His people is that they may be a blessing to their generation. Why do you want to have money and be rich? Be a rich wise!

3. Give – Giving helps to overcome covetousness. The reason why God asks us to give certain items we are attached to, is because He does not want our hearts to be overwhelmed with covetousness. Every time when God asks us to give is because He is releasing us from what may hold us hostage. Giving frees us to focus more on the provider than the provision. It helps us to be provider conscious that provision. Giving makes us to identify other people needs than our own needs only. Covetousness can not co-habit with giving. Covetousness is the offspring of lust, while giving is the offspring of love.