Beware of Covetousness!

[Copper25]

Ezekiel 33:31) And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.How far back does covetousness go. Since the days of Adam and Eve when the desire for the forbidden fruit came and they where banned from the Garden of Eden because of it. Covetousness can act as a major snare in ones life, whether it be for money, pleasure, or something else, but shall a covetous person inherit the kingdom of God, no. Covetousness can be linked directly to idolism because covetousness will push God out of your heart, making him not number one, nor first in your life. This is why Paul spoke of contentment, being content with the possessions that one has will bring growth and development in our relationship with God. Money, cars, fame, fortune, may seem nice, but will it last? “I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I have laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” So in the end, our relationship with God is what matters more then anything. A man built a barn, but wanted a bigger one, then God said while he was building it, “Thou fool, this night thy soul is required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided?” “four things say not, It is enough: The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.” “Hell and destruction are never filled: so the eyes of men are never satisfied.” So how much of a warning is that against covetousness. People don’t realize “covetousness, which is Idolatry“, is a huge offense and is why the heart of many are mislead. If God isn’t put first in a person’s heart, how can they be wholeheartedly, with all their heart, soul, and mind be following God? Jesus himself said “if a man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Let alone, how much more does this apply to material things and cash. The Lord bade a great supper , but from those that were bade, excuses, “And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have brought a piece of ground , and I must go see it”, and the second, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them”, and the third ”I have married a wife”, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” Once again all temporal worry and temporal focus instead of looking at the big picture so where does that leave us? Yea, we live in this world , but we are ”strangers and pilgrims on earth” who are seeking and waiting for the world to come. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise”, so “mine eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” This is our focus in life, to live right and please God. For no other purpose were we put here on earth.

 

[AusDisciple]

Another great post Copper. I must admit, although I understand the meaning and application of Luke 14:26, the wording does seem a little odd. Hate is a very strong word and appears, on the surface anyway, to contradict the commandments.