Covetousness - the Root of All Sins
November 16th, 1997Covetousness - the Root of All Sins
EXODUS 20:17
11/16/97
Rev. G.I. Williamson in his study on the Shorter Catechism says, “IT WOULD NOT BE INACCURATE TO SAY THAT COVETING IS THE ROOT OF ALL OTHER SIN.” This commandment takes us down to the depths of sin, into the desires of the human heart and the secret source of wickedness. The other 9 commandments are concerned with outward actions and inward desires, but this 10th commandment focuses particularly on the heart. If anyone somehow thinks that they have kept the 10 commandments, then they have not seriously considered this one.
This commandment will put even the most decent people to shame. This is the command which finally showed the great Saul of Tarsus that he was a sinner in need of the saving grace of God. In Romans 7:7 Paul says, “I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT SIN WAS EXCEPT THROUGH THE LAW. FOR I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT COVETING REALLY WAS IF THE LAW HAD NOT SAID, “DO NOT COVET.” ” All the other commands he thought he had kept. He was a very confident Pharisee. He said in Philippians 3:6 that “AS FOR LEGALISTIC RIGHTEOUSNESS, (I WAS) FAULTLESS.” But when he came face to face with the 10th command, he had met his match, and was devastated by it. In Romans 7:11 he said that this sin “TAKING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE COMMANDMENT, DECEIVED ME, AND THROUGH IT KILLED ME.”
It is very important that we have a thorough understanding of this command. Today we will dissect this command and find out what covetousness is, look at the signs of covetousness and the cures for covetousness. As we analyze this 10th commandment, we will be challenged to be content with God whatever state we are in.
I. WHAT IS COVETOUSNESS?
The word for “covet” in the Hebrew language means “to desire strongly, or to take delight in”.(Wilson’s OT Word Studies) It can be used in both a good and a bad sense. But as it is used here in the 10th commandment, it refers to an “inordinate, ungoverned, selfish desire”.(BDBG, Hebrew/English Lexicon) In the NT the word “covet” is sometimes translated “lust” or “desire”. The book of James brings out this aspect of coveting in James 1:14 & 15: “BUT EVERY MAN IS TEMPTED, WHEN HE IS DRAWN AWAY OF HIS OWN LUST, AND ENTICED. THEN WHEN LUST HATH CONCEIVED, IT BRINGETH FORTH SIN: AND SIN, WHEN IT IS FINISHED, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH.” Covetous desire is the reason you and I are drawn away by temptations. When covetousness or lust is conceived, it brings forth sinful actions, and then death.
To covet is to be dissatisfied and desire more than enough. It is a discontentment with your current lot in life. The covetous person is never satisfied with what God has given him, but always wants just a little more. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “WHOEVER LOVES MONEY NEVER HAS MONEY ENOUGH; WHOEVER LOVES WEALTH IS NEVER SATISFIED WITH HIS INCOME. ” This commandment speaks of coveting in the context of our neighbor. We are not to covet our neighbor’s house, his wife, his servants, his animals, or anything else that belongs to our neighbor. When you begin to look around and compare your situation with your neighbor’s, you may see things that he has that you don’t. It may not be an ox or a donkey, but it could be that new car, a bass boat or that nice addition to their home. Then you look at your own situation and you become dissatisfied with your own car or your own house, although the car may have been running well and your house may be quite a nice house!
The sin of coveting consists not only in desiring more than what you have, but in desiring that which does not belong to you. Such a desire is sinful and may lead to sinful actions against the property or life of your neighbor. King David was up on his roof one night and he coveted after Bathsheba. Then he took her from her home, which was stealing, he committed adultery with her, and then he committed murder against her husband by having him killed in battle. It all started with the sin of coveting. I think you can see why it can be called the mother of all sins.
Sometimes we can be mistaken about what covetousness means. It does not mean that you should not try to improve your current condition or increase your wealth. It is right to be hard working and diligent in our jobs. This is our duty. The Bible says, “LAZY HANDS MAKE A MAN POOR, BUT DILIGENT HANDS BRING WEALTH.” (Pro 10:4) When God gives you the ability to make money, then you should use that ability. The problem is not with wealth but with the attitude towards it and the use of it. There is nothing wrong with being rich and trying to make more money as long as you desire to do it for God, and as long as you are content with what God allows you to make. It is a fact that God entrusts more wealth to some than others, and this is not wrong. However, it must be remembered that “TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED.”
II. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF COVETOUSNESS?
Since the sin of coveting is primarily a sin of the heart it is sometimes difficult to identify. How do you know if you are guilty of coveting? What are some signs? One sign of coveting is when all you think about are the things of the world. A covetous person thinks only about his work, his money, his land and his possessions. During the week there is no room for thoughts about God. And even on Sunday morning in church the covetous person is not really thinking about God, but about his investments, or his job, or other worldly matters. Such a person finds more happiness when thinking about the world and getting rich than he does about Christ and gaining heaven. Conversely, a covetous person is more distressed about losing a dollar than about committing a sin against God.
A covetous person can be identified as one who puts forth more effort to gain the things of the world than the things of heaven. Such a person overloads himself with business and work in order to make a living and then has no time or energy left over to serve the Lord. Listen, if you don’t have time or make time for your relationship with the Lord, then you really don’t have a relationship with the Lord! You are married to this world, and the Bible says “IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.” (1Jo 2:15) You may be fattening your wallet but you are actually starving your soul. If there is no room for Christ in your life, then you are spiritually dead. You need to be born again and let God powerfully change your heart and turn your priorities in life around.
Another sign of covetousness is when a person is indifferent to others who are in material or spiritual need. The Bible says, “SUPPOSE A BROTHER OR SISTER IS WITHOUT CLOTHES AND DAILY FOOD. IF ONE OF YOU SAYS TO HIM, “GO, I WISH YOU WELL; KEEP WARM AND WELL FED, ” BUT DOES NOTHING ABOUT HIS PHYSICAL NEEDS, WHAT GOOD IS IT?” (James 2:15,16) Some people do give to the needy and to the church, but it is only what they don’t want, or what is of no use to them. Some people put a few dollars into the collection plate but it is only an insignificant amount compared to what they could give. When we give unwillingly or sparingly to the Lord, then it is a sign of covetousness.
Another sign of covetousness is when a person is envious of others who have more than they do. Do you always think about what others have that you wish you had? Are you secretly envious and maybe even resentful that others have something that you don’t have? Maybe you are harboring resentment towards God because you feel that He has not been as good to you as He has been to someone else. You need to realize that God gives more to one person than He does to another. We must accept God’s will for us whether we have a lot or a little and be willing to rejoice when others prosper.
One other way that you can tell a person is covetous is when they have done well in life and then begin to hoard it all. They think that they are now secure and can take life easy and not worry about the future. Jesus told a short parable about such a person. That person made a huge crop and decided to build bigger barns to hold it all. That man said to himself, ‘”I HAVE PLENTY OF GOOD THINGS LAID UP FOR MANY YEARS. TAKE LIFE EASY; EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY.’ BUT GOD SAID TO HIM, `YOU FOOL! THIS VERY NIGHT YOUR LIFE WILL BE DEMANDED FROM YOU. THEN WHO WILL GET WHAT YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR YOURSELF?’” (Luke 12:19,20) This man can be compared to a person today who has all his financial planning in order with a nice nest egg set up for retirement. But just when you think you’ve got it made in life, and can take it easy, God may come knocking on your door and say “this night your life will be required from you.” Therefore, remember that there is another life yet to come, and be ready! We have looked at the meaning of covetousness, and the signs of covetousness.
III. WHAT ARE THE CURES FOR COVETOUSNESS?
We are all guilty of this sin and need help in this area. The first step in any cure is to be willing to admit you are sick. Can you identify the signs of covetousness and are you willing to admit you need help? Jesus said, “IT IS NOT THE HEALTHY WHO NEED A DOCTOR, BUT THE SICK.” (Mat 9:12) The Bible says, “IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” (1Jo 1:9) Go to God in repentance and He will cleanse you of all sin, and will enable you to overcome this sin of coveting.
Once you have repented of this sin and given your life over to Christ, then you need to replace coveting with contentment. Learning contentment is the key to having victory over this sin. Contentment does not come naturally to any of us. It must be learned. The apostle Paul said, “I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE IN NEED, AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO HAVE PLENTY. I HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT IN ANY AND EVERY SITUATION, WHETHER WELL FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER LIVING IN PLENTY OR IN WANT.” (Phi 4:12)
Paul learned the secret of contentment. Have you? What is the secret? The secret is found in the very next verse, in Philippians 4:13 - “I CAN DO EVERYTHING THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.” (Phi 4:13) We must realize our weakness, and our inability to overcome any sin. We must believe that through Christ alone we have the victory. You willpower is not enough. Your Bible knowledge is not enough. Your only hope for winning this battle is giving it over to Christ.
Another secret of contentment is found in willingly accepting the providence of God in your life. Do you believe that God controls all the events in your life? He does. Some people believe that things happen by chance or luck. But there is no such thing as luck because God controls all things that happen, from the smallest to the greatest. Jesus said, “ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS SOLD FOR A PENNY ? YET NOT ONE OF THEM WILL FALL TO THE GROUND APART FROM THE WILL OF YOUR FATHER. AND EVEN THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED.” (Matt 10:29,30)
There is no good thing or difficult thing that comes into your life that God did not plan and allow to happen. If you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, then you know that all that happens in your life is for your good, because God is ordering these things. Romans 8:28 says, “AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.” (Rom 8:28) If you have a lot, then thank God, because He allowed you to have it. If you have a little, then don’t be angry with God or envious of your neighbor because God chose to give more to them than to you. What God in His providence brings about in your life is tailor made just for you! Don’t covet His tailor made plan for others, because if that was the best thing for you, God would have given it to you. Trust His providence in your life, and you will be content.
If you want to learn another secret of contentment, then you must learn to desire Christ above everything here on earth. When Jesus becomes your greatest desire then all other worldly desires will fade away. The writer of Psalm 73 said, “WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN BUT YOU? AND EARTH HAS NOTHING I DESIRE BESIDES YOU.” (Psa 73:25) When you thirst for fellowship and nearness to God above anything else in life, you will learn how to be content no matter what your circumstances because nothing can separate you from the love of Christ! Are you thirsty and hungry for a deeper relationship with God? We need to develop a longing after knowing God as the psalmist in Psalm 42. He said, “AS THE DEER PANTS FOR STREAMS OF WATER, SO MY SOUL PANTS FOR YOU, O GOD. MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR GOD, FOR THE LIVING GOD. WHEN CAN I GO AND MEET WITH GOD?” (Psa 42:1,2)
In order to be content, free from covetousness in this world, then you must begin to view life from an eternal perspective. Your life here on earth is but an overnight stay at a motel compared to the rest of your life in eternity. If you could have just one glimpse into heaven and hell, the things of this world would seem nothing more than child’s toys to you. If you could see those who are being tormented in the fires of hell, your covetous ways would cease and you would begin to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. You would make sure that you were truly saved. Also, if you could take just one glance into heaven, you would see how much better a place it is than earth. You would start investing in heavenly real estate, and sign more money up for a lay-away plan in heaven.
Do not forget that you have another world to live in after you have lived this life on earth. Remember you must live in heaven or hell forever. You are either making provision for a better heaven or a hotter hell every day of your life. Richard Baxter, one of the godliest preachers of the 15th century had this to say about preparing for the life to come. He said, “HOW SHORT IS LIFE! HOW QUICKLY GONE! AND WILT THOU MAKE SO MUCH ADO FOR SO SHORT A LIFE? AND SO CAREFUL A PROVISION FOR SO SHORT A STAY? HOW UNCERTAIN IS THY TIME, AS WELL AS SHORT! THOU CANST NOT SAY WHAT WORLD THOU SHALT BE IN TOMORROW. REMEMBER, MAN, THAT THOU MUST DIE! THOU MUST DIE! THOU MUST QUICKLY DIE! THOU KNOWEST NOT HOW SOON!” I want to ask you, is it any big deal whether you are rich or poor in this life since we are all on a fast train to another life? Will there be any consolation in hell to say that you died rich? Even if you are going to heaven, you also know that you can’t take anything with you. The only thing you will have in heaven’s bank is what you deposit there while you are on earth! The Bible says, “SO WE FIX OUR EYES NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN, BUT ON WHAT IS UNSEEN. FOR WHAT IS SEEN IS TEMPORARY, BUT WHAT IS UNSEEN IS ETERNAL.” (2Co 4:18) What are your eyes fixed upon?
The Bible says, “SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS. FOR YOU DIED, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOW HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. ” (Col 3:2,3) If Christ is in you, then you are dead to the world and its sinful desires. You don’t belong to this world anymore, but you are a citizen of heaven. Those soldiers who fought in the Gulf war can be compared to Christians living in this world. They were in the desert, fighting against a wicked enemy. They knew that desert was not their home, and while they were there all they could think about was getting back home to America - to their friends and family. As Christians, we live in a desert, and we are in constant battle with Satan. This world is not a paradise anymore! It has become a wilderness because of the fall of man. Set your minds on the paradise above, not on this wasteland below, and you will learn how to be content. You will learn how to avoid the sin of covetousness.
CONCLUSION
This 10th commandment takes our focus off of the world and puts it back on God. After all, that is where we started from in these 10 commandments. The first commandment says, “YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME.” It is God and godliness that should be the focus of our minds, our hearts and strength. The greatest commandment is to “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, SOUL, MIND AND STRENGTH. ” This is the mother of all commands. Covetousness, the mother of all sins, is the opposite of godliness. “GODLINESS”, the Bible says, “WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.” Do you want to be rich? Be rich in holiness and godliness. Be rich in love and good deeds.
I will close with one verse of Scripture. Hebrews 13:5 says, “KEEP YOUR LIVES FREE FROM THE LOVE OF MONEY AND BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, BECAUSE GOD HAS SAID, ‘NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU; NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU.’”
