Covetousness
J. Burns, D. D. Luke 12:15 And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness… I. THE NATURE AND GENERAL CAUSES OF COVETOUSNESS. 1. It does apt consist in a lawful care about the things of this life, or in a proper regard to the principles of prudence and frugality. But it consists in too eager a desire after the things of this life. Setting our hearts upon them. 2. It may be known by the tenacity with which we hold the things of this life. Treating them as our chief good. 3. The general causes of covetousness are principally these: (1) A corrupt and perverted state of mind. (2) Discontent with, and distrust of, the providence of God. (3) Forgetfulness of the soul, and those things which are eternal. II. ITS EVIL AND PERNICIOUS EFFECTS. Consider — 1. Its effects personally. It is the source of many vices. "They who will be rich," &c. (1 Timothy 6:9). It tempts men to base and unjust means to get money. It hardens the heart, blunts the feedings, and renders the soul callous and sordid. It fills the mind with distraction, and prevents all true and solid enjoyment. It keeps out Christ and salvation. 2. Its effects on society. A covetous man is a misanthrope to his species. 3. Its effects in reference to God. 4. Its effects as exhibited in the examples revelation furnishes. Let us then notice the means necessary. III. FOR ITS PREVENTION AND CURE. 1. Serious consideration of the shortness and uncertainty of life. How madlike, inordinately to love what must so shortly be taken from us! 2. A reflection on our responsibility to God for all we possess. Stewards. Day of reckoning will arrive, God will judge us. All give an account, and receive according as our works shall be. 3. A renewal of our hearts by the grace and Spirit of God. 4. Imitation of Christ's blessed example. 5. Repeated and prayerful examination of our hearts before God. (J. Burns, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."