Of the Practice of Covetousness in Keeping Wealth
The sermon warns against the dangers of covetousness in keeping wealth, highlighting the importance of prioritizing generosity and concern for the needs of others.
William Gouge preaches about covetousness in keeping wealth, highlighting two practices: hoarding excessively out of fear for the future, as seen in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, and neglecting to provide for the common good or the needs of the poor. He emphasizes the folly of laboring endlessly for riches without satisfaction, as described in Ecclesiastes 4:8, and the sinful nature of worrying about the future, which goes against Christ's teachings in Matthew 6:34. Gouge warns against selfish accumulation of wealth and urges for a mindset of generosity and care for others.
Text
Covetousness in keeping wealth is practiced two ways:
1. When men hoard up all that they can, though they have enough for the present, yet fearing want for the future, treasure up whatsoever they can get. So did the rich fool in the Gospel. His ground bearing fruit plentifully, his mind was presently set upon enlarging his barns to lay up for many years to come, Luke xii. etc. &c. The wise man doth set out this covetous practice, 'There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches,' Eccles. iv. 8. These are they that take thought for the morrow; that is, cark and care for the future time, which Christ expressly forbiddeth, Mat. vi. 34. They think that whosoever want, they will not.
2. When men hoard up only for themselves, they care not what treasure for the future the commonwealth or the church hath against times of need and trial, nor do they care for the flock of the poor.
Sermon Outline
- I. Covetousness in Keeping Wealth
- A. Practiced in two ways
- B. 1. Hoarding wealth for the future
- C. 2. Hoarding wealth for personal gain
- II. The Dangers of Hoarding Wealth
- A. Fearing want for the future
- B. Ignoring the needs of others
- III. The Warning Against Covetousness
- A. Christ's prohibition against worrying about the future
- B. The consequences of prioritizing personal wealth
Key Quotes
“There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches,” — William Gouge
Application Points
- Prioritize generosity and concern for the needs of others in your financial decisions.
- Trust in God's provision for the future and avoid worrying about material wealth.
- Consider the consequences of prioritizing personal wealth and how it may impact others.