“Take heed, and beware of covetousness” – Luke 12:15
This is a warning from the lips of our beloved Lord. He knows our weakness and our foes, and He cautions us against them. We want but little here below, for we shall not be here long; and we are going to the land of plenty, rest, and joy.
A little with the Lord’s blessing is enough. We ought not to be anxious about temporals; only let us be careful that the world is not a loser by us, and we need trouble no further. The Lord will give us enough if we are living by faith upon Him, and walking in communion with Him.
We are all prone to be covetous, and it is a fearful sin.
Covetousness is idolatry. It steals the heart from God, and sets it upon base and sordid things. It prevents our enjoying either temporal or spiritual blessings. A covetous man must be miserable, must be unholy……well may our dear Lord say, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.”
It is sly and insinuating, it is deceitful and powerful; and if it once becomes rooted in the heart, nothing but omnipotent grace can root it out. Covet only the best gifts, spiritual blessings.
Great things we are not here to crave,
But if we food and raiment have,
Should learn to be therewith content;
Into the world we nothing brought,
Nor can we carry from it aught;
Then walk the way your Master went. — James Smith, 1840
