32. Of Covetousness.

Theogenes - "Enough of all reason. But as to covetousness, i thank God I cannot charge myself with it, it has no power of me - nay, I naturally abhor it. And I also now clearly see why i have been so long struggling in vain against other selfish tempers."

Theophilus - "Permit me, my friend, to remove your mistake. Had covetousness no power of you, you could have no other selfish tempers to struggle against. They are all dead as soon as covetousness has done working in you. You take covetousness to relate only to the wealth of this world. But this is but one single branch of it, its nature is as large as desire, and whatever selfish desire is, there is all the evil nature of covetousness.
Now envy, pride, hatred, or wrath can have no possibility of existence in you, but because there is some selfish desire alive in you that is not satisfied, not gratified, but resisted or disappointed. And therefore so long as selfish tempers, whether of envy, uneasiness, complaint, pride, or wrath, are alive in you, you have the fullest proof that all these tempers are born and bred in and from your own covetousness; that is, from that same selfish bad desire which, when it is turned to the wealth of the world, is called covetousness. For all these four elements of self, or fallen nature, are tied together in one inseparable band; they mutually generate from one another, they have but one common life, and must all of them live, or die together. This may show you again the absolute necessity of our one simple and certain way of dying to self, and the absolute insufficiency of all human means whatever to effect it."

- Excerpt taken from "Wholly For God; The True Christian Life", Part 2, The Spirit Of Love; A Series Of Extracts Taken From William Law, Selected and Edited by Andrew Murray; 1893

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Richie

Good stuff Richie,

Covetousness is one of those things in our modern age that is not spoken of much, but is a subject that needs to come to the forefront of our attention. I noticed that it is touched upon in another post entitled "Run From Pride" that is up at the moment. Could God be trying to tell us (on this site) something? Will we listen? We seem to argue about our own schisms, all the while being full of pride and covetousness.

If there is more brother, give it to us. Those who have ears to hear, will hear.

Blessings Steve

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Steve

I was just yesterday reading something written by John Newton on this topic, thought I would share it here;

The most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin

"For of this you can be sure: that no sexually immoral or impure nor covetousness person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of God." Ephesians 5:5

What is covetousness?

Covetousness is a sin from which few people are entirely free. It is eminently a deceitful sin! It is decried and condemned in others—by multitudes who live in the habit of it themselves! It is very difficult to fix a conviction of this sin—upon those who are guilty of it!

Whether drunkards or profligates regard the warnings of the preacher or not, when he declares that those who persist in those evil practices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God—they at least know their own characters, and are sensible that they are the people intended.

But if the preacher adds, "nor the covetousness person—such a man is an idolater" —the covetous man usually sits unmoved, and is more ready to apply the threatening to his neighbor—than to himself! If he now and then gives a few dollars to some charity—he does not suspect that he is liable to the charge of covetousness!

I consider covetousness as the most generally prevailing and ensnaring sin, by which professors of the gospel, in our materialistic society, are hindered in their spiritual progress. A disposition deeply rooted in our fallen nature, strengthened by the custom of all around us, the power of habit, and the fascinating charm of wealth—is not easily counteracted.

If we are, indeed, genuine believers in Christ—we are bound by obligation, and required by our Scriptural rule—to set our affections on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. Christ has called us out of the world, and cautioned us against conformity to its spirit. While we are in the world—it is our duty, privilege, and honor—to manifest that grace which has delivered us from the love of the world. Christians must indeed eat and drink, and may buy and sell, as other people do. But the principles, motives, and ends of their conduct, are entirely different—they are to adorn the doctrine of God their Savior, and to do all for His glory!

The Christian knows that it is not necessary to be rich, or to be admired or envied by the vain unthinking world—and that it is absolutely necessary for him to maintain peace of conscience, and communion with God. In these respects, all God's people, however differently situated—are exactly upon a par.

But, alas! how many who profess to know and value the gospel—are far otherwise minded! The chief mark of their profession, is their attendance on Sunday services! At other times, and in other respects—they are not easily distinguished from the ungodly world! Their houses, furniture, tables, and other belongings; and the manner in which they seek worldly things—sufficiently proves them to be covetous! Their love of money, and the desire of more—are always in exercise. They attempt to look two ways at once—and to reconcile the incompatible claims of God—and mammon! They rise early, go to bed late, and eat the bread of worry—that they may be able to vie with the world in their possessions; and to lay up snares, and thorns, and encumbrances for their children!

Often, they already have a lawful employment, which affords a competence for a comfortable support. But if opportunity offers, they eagerly catch at some other prospect of gain, though they thereby double their anxieties, and encroach still more upon that time (too little before) which they should allot to the concerns of their souls!

Such opportunities they call providential openings, and perhaps say they are thankful for them; not considering that such openings of Providence are frequently temptations or tests, which the Lord permits a man to meet with—to prove what is in his heart, and to try him, whether his affections are indeed set on the things above—or still cleave to the earth!

For those who, as the apostle expresses it, "long to be rich," who will strain every nerve to be found in the list of the wealthy—may, and often do, obtain the poor reward they seek. As in the case of Israel, when, not satisfied with bread from heaven, they clamored for meat. God gives them their desire—but with it, sends leanness into their souls. They expose themselves to temptations and snares, to foolish passions and pursuits; and thus too many, who promised fair at the first setting out, are drowned in destruction and perdition! For it is written in the Scripture, "For of this you can be sure: that no covetousness person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of God." Ephesians 5:5 And the Scriptures cannot be broken!

"For the love of money is the root of all evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows!" 1 Timothy 6:10. Who can enumerate the many sorrows with which the covetous and worldly-minded professor is pierced! Sooner or later, his schemes are broken; losses and crosses, disappointments and anxieties, wear down his spirit. Improper connections, which he formed, because he longed to be rich, become thorns in his sides and in his eyes! He trusted in men—and men deceive him! He leaned upon a weak reed—which breaks, and he falls! Thus he finds that the way of transgressors and backsliders is hard!

If therefore, my dear reader, you wish to avoid trouble, and to pass through life as smoothly as possible, take heed and beware of covetousness!

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Ron Halverson

I have been thinking also on covetousness .

It seems to be anything that ocupies / percesses our mind / being ,as "OVER DESIREOUS OF " ...or OVERLY LOVE FOR,..( bent )

It seems as if the whole world , nearly ,is in this shape,...cannot turn loose of whatever, no matter how innocent or terrible ,it may be
whatever,...never in our own human ,...natural spirit !

As I was studying this in my mind this morning,I thought on ,
Gen..1:25:
And Adam knew his wife again,and she bore a son,and called his name Seth.For God,said she,hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel,whom Cain slew.

* Vs.26And to Seth,to him also;there was born a son; and he called his name Enosh; ....." Then began men to call upon the Name of The LORD. "

What I am trying to say is,..I believe when this mighty holding power of
" coveteousness" over- takes us,,....it is like a spirit,.., ..our only hope is to call upon ' The Name of The Lord"...( And His Name is everything that He stands for ),..to deliver us,..to set us free.

Just some thoughts I thought I might share.

elizabeth

It is a worthwhile and sobering study to go through the Scriptures listed in the Torrey's Topical Textbook entry for covetousness;

http://torreystopicaltextbook.com/127-Covetousness.php

In Christ,

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Ron Halverson

Inthelight,

Thank you ,
Intresting,...He gives a lot of good Scriptures to check out.

Elizabeth

If you enjoy this book, there is another book by William Law with annotations by Andrew Murray entitled: "Dying to Self: A Golden Dialogue" which I think is better than Wholly For God. It also is written as a dialogue between Theogenes and Theophilus so as to put a fine edge on the discussion much like iron sharpening iron. I went to the trouble of scanning and converting it into Word .doc format and uploading it to Scribd. You can read it for free there or download it to your tablet or computer. I especially like the commentary by Andrew Murray. He, in my opinion, was equally balanced in stressing sound doctrine and dogma as he was in stressing the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Highly Recommended!

https://www.scribd.com/doc/63781935/Dying-to-Self-by-William-Law


-Daniel

Can you email me a copy listed in my profile?

I just sent it to you. You should receive it shortly.

-Daniel

Thanks! - I got it