Covetousness is Idolatry. Yet improper desire, the sin of coveting, is everywhere condemned in Scripture. With God's Spirit comes the assurance of our gaining entry into God's Kingdom (Ephesians 1:14 Ephesians 1:14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.American King James Version×), having shed the sin of covetousness. Often, we don’t think of this as idolatry, and the proponents of this belief system don’t want us to see it for what it really is. When giving is practiced, the giver and the receiver ultimately benefit. Covetousness as Idolatry Thou Shall Not Covet Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016) Because virtually every sin begins as a desire in the mind, the command against coveting (lustful cravings) could be the key to keeping the other commandments. So “it follows that organization of such covetousness into a system is the creation of an anti-God society. Why is covetousness equated with idolatry? Desire is not inherently evil, but the channeling of our longings toward what cannot be rightfully ours or into harmful and destructive obsessions is the sin of covetousness. We realize that people with few possessions can learn important spiritual lessons; they can learn to "beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15 Luke 12:15And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.American King James Version×). God offers us a wonderful future, and that brings us to the second key to overcoming covetousness. What is the wrath of God? (Isaiah 44:17 Isaiah 44:17And the residue thereof he makes a god, even his graven image: he falls down to it, and worships it, and prays to it, and said, Deliver me; for you are my god.American King James Version×). Then why is it that we are still trying to understand the makeup of everything in the universe? Covetousness is Idolatry. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Rev. 1 Timothy 6:10 AMP says that, “the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many acute [mental] pangs.” And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. He knows that, if He allows the covetous to obtain eternal life, they will lust after the one additional thing they do not have: God's throne! In such a society, the lawless seizure can lay hold of what belongs to our neighbor by asking the State to serve as our instrument of seizure; to covet and take by law is no less of a sin.”. God frees us from the distractions that could tempt us to covet and thereby prevent us from gaining eternal life in His Kingdom. But what about circumstances that don't lend themselves to peace and a serene sense of well-being? That is an idol. A minister for 32 years he is currently the Pastor of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church of Pasadena, Maryland. American King James Version×). And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have much goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry. He is God and God alone. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. King David, too, focused on the "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" from God (Psalms 16:11 Psalms 16:11You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more.American King James Version×), rather than material things of the world. Why is covetousness equated with idolatry? Now this connection between covetousness and idolatry … Jesus showed us that, when we keep the Kingdom as our goal by obeying His spiritual law, everything else is taken care of, so don't worry about-to the point of coveting-things you don't have. Consider the multi-billion dollar industry of Madison Avenue. Our idols-the things on which we set our hearts and minds-directly compete with the Spirit of God and interfere with our relationship with God. Now that doesn’t mean that there are no claimants to deity; there are many. First let's ask and answer another question: Why do we take such pleasure in physical things we shouldn't have? It can make law any way it chooses, and it can change the law it makes at a whim. It is a silly thought to think that man is God. One of those gifts, which Paul described, was the ability to speak in an edifying, exhorting and comforting manner. Colossians 3:5 (KJV): Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: GREEDINESS is a common vice most persons fail to take it seriously. The biblical meaning is much the same, though expressed through a variety of Hebrew and Greek words. Our human tendency is to look to the idol of our choice to deliver us from difficulties and disappointments. The essence of idolatry… As we travel through life toward our goal, the Kingdom of God, we are supposed to be happy. We come to know Him through what His Word says about Him, and to know Him personally through a relationship with the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It frequently refers to lusting after something (or someone) that belongs to someone else. That's why coveting is idolatry. What is the connection? But if we were the designers and creators of ourselves, we would have known this perfectly already. After those climactic days of the Crucifixion, resurection and birth of the church — John had … Some of the examples in Exodus 20 concerning the commandment on coveting may seem antiquated to our modern way of thinking. You may opt out at anytime. The godly, those who are heirs with Christ (Galatians 3:29 Galatians 3:29And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.American King James Version×), hope for an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, which for the time being they can't see. Covetousness is Inconsistent in Saints. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Would you build an altar in your home so you could worship a statue? [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Covetousness is the Root of all Evil. But think of the folly of this thinking. We don't hear much preaching against covetousness because it is such a commonplace sin that it … A perceptive person recently suggested to me that happiness is a mode of travel, not a destination. Completing this poll grants you access to Freedom Outpost updates free of charge. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Read full chapter Colossians 3:5 in all English translations What about us is worthy of love? The cure for covetousness is not tossing a few dollars in the offering each week. Coveting, when actually carried out, can easily become the sins of adultery, stealing and lying. Covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). This is an urgently needed warning to all of Christ’s Church. In Colossians 3:5 Paul writes, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Idolatry is the worship of a false God, and the … I put “religions” in quotes because there is only one true religion, that of the God of the Bible. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. God is spirit and eternal; we are of the dust, physical and temporal. We receive a fulfillment and contentment by helping others that physical things cannot give us. Ask for faith to trust in Him and be content with His Spirit and the promise of happiness in His Kingdom. All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. God tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:31 1 Corinthians 12:31But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I to you a more excellent way.American King James Version×that we should "covet" (King James Version), or "earnestly desire" (New King James Version), spiritual gifts. REVELATION 18 POINT TWO AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE the IDOLATRY of COVETOUSNESS. David Whitney has been teaching the Christian heritage and history of our country with Institute on the Constitution for over a decade where he serves as Senior Instructor, and Radio show host on Dr. Stan Monteith’s Radio Liberty. Even when indulged, covetousness is not a grievous sin, except in certain conditions which involve offense of God or the neighbor, e.g. God knows that a covetous spirit cannot be satisfied (Ecclesiastes 1:8 Ecclesiastes 1:8All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.American King James Version×). Covetousness is Idolatry In modern day terms it is closely related to "Keeping Up With the Jones". When we stop to think about it, we realize that loving ourselves before God makes no sense. That takes faith. Copyright © Freedom Outpost. When Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi, he existed as a manacled prisoner, yet he lived contentedly. Its fruit may seem to bring us happiness, but only temporarily. 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. Jesus Christ reminds us of our priorities: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory. We expect the physical things on which we set our hearts and minds to bring us happiness. God's instructions are timeless. GREED And COVETOUSNESS Are Idolatry The words “greed” and “covetousness” are used to translate one Greek word, pleonexia, which means “a desire to have more.” According to W. E. Vine in his Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, it is used “always in a bad sense.” In other words, it is a … It is a simple message–but it is VERY important. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” King James Version (KJV) Very few consider that anything, which is more important to a person than obeying God, may be considered an idol. As an member of Clergy, Activist and Radio personality David has appeared in Washington Times, on Voice of America, Fox, ABC, NBC, CSPAN, BBC, and more…. But back to the question: What is the connection between covetousness and idolatry? Something happens when we practice true and undefiled religion (James 1:27 James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.American King James Version×). However, when we reign with God in His Kingdom, His Spirit will have convicted us and enabled us to overcome all sin, including covetousness, for eternity. The Tenth Commandment forbids us to covet a variety of things that belong to others-our neighbor's house, wife, servant, ox, donkey and, in fact, "anything that is your neighbor's" (Exodus 20:17 Exodus 20:17You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.American King James Version×). So why would you habitually practice covetousness, which amounts to the same thing? We love them because they give us a feeling of fulfillment. Paul realized he had much to be happy about-the glory and majesty that will be his in God's Kingdom. God can let us live forever (Romans 6:23 Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.American King James Version×); most of us will live physically only 70 or 80 years. When life grows empty and you desire to embark on some kind of binge-to satiate yourself, to seek fulfillment by substituting the material for God's Spirit-simply ask God for the faith to wait for the better blessings He has in store for you. Covetousness is Never Satisfied. The problem God finds with such a shortsighted view is that we enlist the physical to compete with the spiritual. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked … Covetousness is Inconsistent: Specially in Ministers. Covetousness is the notion that created things are the primary point of human desire. Covetousness is idolatry. Thank you, Todd, for drawing attention to this subject. Covetousness Is Idolatry Many don't realize how greed is impeding their spiritual growth and how necessary it is to overcome the deadly and deceitful sin of covetousness. Trending: The Facts about the Death of Justice Scalia are Quite Suspicious. All Rights Reserved. Covetousness is idolatry: once man has elevated a created thing above the Creator, it is a small thing to personify that thing elevated (idolatry). At the end of an incredible life, John the Apostle wrote some arresting words. But the man in this story did not please God, who plainly disliked his callous, selfish attitude and love of the material world. Several times in the NT, Paul associates covetousness with idolatry. Legalized plunder keeps the whole idolatrous machine working, Coveting leads to taking by force or by law what belongs to our neighbor and is clearly a violation of God’s law. uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Covetousness: A … First we need to understand one aspect that God’s Word identifies for us is The Connection between Covetousness and Idolatry. However, if we love only ourselves, we will covet. However, if we look closely at the forbidden list, it includes, in principle, a virtual wish list of everything we could desire in modern society. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. There is nothing wrong with wanting things that will make our lives more comfortable or enjoyable, so long as it doesn't interfere with our relationship with God. Love, joy, peace and the other fruits of God's Spirit should be visible in our lives whether we have all that we desire or not. Our English word covet means to intensely or obsessively desire. Please disable your Ad Blocker to better interact with this website. Liberty means breaking free from every form of idolatry. 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