We have all done this at some point. We see that item that we need, want or must have. It has the latest “this” and the best “that.” It is faster, stronger and better than the old one you currently own. So, how do we respond to that? Do we take the bait? Is this item that much better? Does it deserve my focus and desire? What do I do when covetousness attacks?
I am not speaking against working and providing for families and loved ones but rather against covetousness. We know covetousness is wrong. Both Ephesians and Colossians call covetousness idolatry (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Idolatry is the worship or love of anything other than God. John wrote, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17). Understanding what covetousness is helps us identify the solution. Covetousness is an idolatrous love of the world and things. Loving God and doing His will is our way of escape.
Christ warns us against greed. “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions’” (Luke 12:15). He goes no to tell the parable of the man that had so much that he said to himself, “Take your ease, eat drink and be merry.” God’s response was, “You fool” (Luke 12:16-21)! Paul wrote to Timothy, “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Tim 6:10). Greed is something that we sabotage ourselves with.
Our best antidote to covetousness is contentment. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6-9). Hebrews also states, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5). God says, “Be content with what you have, and I will be there with you.” We are not simply trying not to covet but rather we are working on contentment. Don’t focus on not coveting. Focus on being content. One Christian brother wrote, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11). Anyone can covet. Contentment is something we learn.