Overcoming Sin 6 Covetousness Luke 12 13 15

Overcoming Sin (6): Covetousness Luke 12: 13 -15

Introduction �Our society is driven by covetousness (TV, movies). Average debt per household: �Society measures a person’s worth and importance by worldly wealth; “He with the Credit card: $15, 480 most toys wins. ” Lk. 12: 15 �Advertisers. Mortgage: spend billions$156, 474 getting us to spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need. Student loan: $33, 424 �Legalized gambling is another symptom of the prevalence of covetousness in our society. 3

What is covetousness? �From Greek pleoneskia a compound word: pleon: “more. ” echo: “to have. ” Literally: “more to have. ” § An unquenchable thirst to get more and more things in order to satisfy (? ) ourselves. 4

What is wrong with covetousness? �It keeps evil company: 1 Cor. 6: 9 -10; Eph. 5: 3; 2 Tim. 3: 2 -5 (KJV) 5

What is wrong with covetousness? �It defiles a man: Mk. 7: 20 -23 Covetousness is not a harmless attitude! It stains a man’s heart and character from the inside out. It defiles every aspect of our life and character, for one’s life proceeds from the heart: Prov. 4: 23 6

What is wrong with covetousness? �It is idolatry: Col. 3: 5 Idolatry is simply putting anything ahead of God. For a covetous man money and things become his god. When we seek happiness in money or things everything else is pushed aside, including God. 7

What is wrong with covetousness? �It provokes the wrath of God: Col. 3: 5 -6 Anything that provokes the wrath of God should get our attention and must be avoided! 8

What is wrong with covetousness? �It is the root of many other sins: Theft: Josh. 7: 20 -21 Lying: 2 Kgs. 5: 20 -27 Betrayal: Matt. 26: 14 -16; Jn. 12: 4 -6 Murder: 1 Kgs. 21 Depart from the faith: 1 Tim. 6: 9 -10 Brings suffering to others: Prov. 15: 27 9

How to overcome covetousness �Learn to trust God: Heb. 13: 5 -6 Contentment connected with trusting God. Notice what contentment taught Paul: Phil. 4: 11 -13 The more money we have the better we think we’ll feel. Faith is more than just belief: Psa. 37: 25; Matt. 6: 25 -34 10

How to overcome covetousness �Learn life is not about accumulating things: Lk. 12: 15 The real value and worth of our life is not measured by money. Life is about being a person of real character: Prov. 22: 1; Matt. 16: 26 None of these things can be bought with money. 11

How to overcome covetousness �Learn to set our minds on the things above: Col. 3: 2 As long as our mind is on the things of the world covetousness is a danger. If we’re focused on heaven; our desire for temporary things is much less: Matt. 6: 1921 How attracted to “things” are you? 12

How to overcome covetousness �Learn to be satisfied: Wealth brings as many problems as it solves: Eccl. 5: 10 -12 We don’t need as much as we think we do. The peace God provides is much sweeter than what things provide: Matt. 6: 19 -21 13

How to overcome covetousness �Learn to deny self: Cannot serve two masters! Matt. 6: 24 Covetousness is an expression of selfcenteredness, selfishness. Christians know better, but the lust of the eyes can be very strong! We need a daily reminder concerning the real meaning of life: Lk. 12: 15 14

How to overcome covetousness �Learn to love our neighbor: A vile aspect of covetousness is that it causes us to disregard the rights and needs of others. It causes us to do our neighbor harm: Rom. 13: 8 -10 Covetousness is the opposite of generosity and love: 1 Jn. 3: 17; Matt. 25: 31 -46 15

Conclusion �Covetousness is not a harmless habit or Covetousness is: blameless characteristics. “…the sin of the man who has allowed full play �But you don’t have to he beshould a “Donald to the desire to have what not have, Trump” tothat have problem with and who thinks hisadesires and appetites covetousness; it knows thing no sociolusts are the most important in the world, economic bounds. who sees others as things to be exploited, who has no god except himself and his desires…” �If we have a problem with it, let’s confess it to God and ask -William for His Barclay help. 16