Covetousness

TEXT:  Col. 3:5-6

INTRODUCTION:

A.      NOT A POPULAR SUBJECT – NOT SENSATIONAL – TOO CLOSE.

B.      COVETOUSNESS IS DANGEROUS.

          1.       Classed with gross and debasing sin (Mark 7:21-23).

          2.       Such should not exist among Christians (Eph. 5:3-5).

I.        SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT COVETOUSNESS.

A.        COVETOUSNESS:  pleonexia, “a desire to have more.” – Vine

B.      IN ENGLISH:  “AN INORDINATE DESIRE FOR SOMETHING WHICH BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE – THE DESIRE  FOR SOMETHING YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO WANT – YOU CAN’T HAVE LAWFULLY.”

          1.       An anxiety in desire – restless, eager desire (1 Kings 21:1ff.).

          2.       A reluctance to use:

                   a.       the rich man (Luke 12:15f.).

                   b.       the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:21-22).

C.      COVETOUSNESS IS IDOLATRY (Col. 3:5).

II.       WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF COVETOUSNESS?

A.      AN EVIL HEART (Mark 7:21-23).

B.      A CARNAL MIND (Col. 3:5).

          1.       The wrong focus (Matt. 6:19-21).

          2.       Divided affections (Matt. 6:22-24).

          3.       Selfishness (Phil. 2:4).

III.      WHAT ARE THE FRUITS OF COVETOUSNESS?

A.      MURDER.

          1.       Naboth (1 Kings 21).

          2.       Uriah (2 Sam. 11).

          3.       Jesus – for 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:14-16).

B.      OPPRESSION.

          1.       Jacob worked for Laban 20 years – who changed his wages 10 times.

          2.       In Israel (Michah 2:1-2).

C.      CAUSES MEN TO LIE.

          1.       Gehazi, servant of Elisha (2 Kings 5).

          2.       Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).

D.      CAUSES MEN TO STEAL – ACHAN (Josh. 7:20-21).

E.      CAUSES MEN TO WITHHOLD FROM THE LORD (Mal. 3:7-9).

F.      ALL MANNER OF EVIL (1 Tim. 6:9-10).

IV.     THE CURE FOR COVETOUSNESS.

A.      CHANGE YOUR FOCUS.

          1.       Matt. 6:19-21.  Priorities (6:33).

          2.       Col. 3:1-2;  9-10.  An inner change.

B.      LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR (Rom. 13:8-10).

C.      LOVE GOD (1 John 2:15).

CONCLUSION:

A.      FORGIVENESS (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

B.      REPENTANCE (1 John 1:6-10).

C.      BAPTISM (Acts 22:16).