Our Lord's Warning Against Covetousness
W. Burkitt. Luke 12:15 And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness… Here observe — 1. THE MANNER of our Lord's caution; He doubles it; not saying, "Take heed" alone, or "beware" only; but, "Take heed," and "beware" both. This argues, that there is a strong inclination in our natures to this sin; the great danger we are in of falling into it, and of what fatal consequence it is to them in whom this sin reigns. 2. THE MATTER of the caution, of the sin of which our Saviour warns his hearers against, and that is covetousness: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness"; where, under the name and notion of covetousness, our Saviour doth not condemn a provident care for the things of this life, nor a regular industry and diligence for obtaining of them, nor every degree of love and affection to them; but by covetousness is to be understood an eager and insatiable desire after the things of this life, or using unjust ways and means to get or increase an estate; seeking the things of this life, with the neglect of things infinitely better, and placing their chief happiness in riches. 3. THE REASON of this caution; "because a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Human life is sustained by a little; therefore abundance is not necessary, either to the support or comfort of it. It is not a great estate and vast possession that makes a man happy in this world; but a mind suited to our condition, whatever it be. (W. Burkitt.) 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."