The Sin of Covetousness
By Daniel H. Kress
“STRAIT is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This applies today just as verily as in Christ’s day. The sin which bars the greatest number from finding the way to life is the sin of covetousness. Much is said in the church about pride, intemperance, and the need of living a pure life, while the sin of covetousness is seldom referred to, possibly because of its commonness. The prophet Jeremiah, in referring to a backslidden church, whose members were saying, “We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us,” said, “Every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness.” He accused the pastors of unfaithfulness in rebuking this sin. “From the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jer. 8: 8-11. They prophesied peace to the church while covetousness was the ruling trait in the lives of its members. Men may ease their consciences by paying an honest tithe, by giving one, two, or three dollars each week to foreign missions, and by keeping the Sabbath, and yet they may be covetous. God demands more than tithes and weekly offerings. Field Marshal Earl Roberts, just before going to the front in the present great war, in which he laid down his life, said: “There is but one duty for the British citizen at the present time: men and women, young and old, rich and poor, all alike must place everything at the service of the state. Nothing must be held back; time, energy, money, talents, even life itself, must be freely offered in this supreme crisis.” The cause of Christ certainly demands nothing less than this today. This has always been the requirement. But it has not been much dwelt upon, for fear, possibly, that few would unite with the church. Jesus did not encourage the covetous to connect with him. He said to those, who, no doubt seeing much in his life that they admired, desired to follow him, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14: 33. To the rich young man, who came running and kneeled down before Christ, saying, “Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus said, “Sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” This young man was nominally a commandment keeper. He no doubt paid his tithe, made offerings, and kept the Sabbath; but he was unwilling to forsake all. Although he was considered an ideal young man in the community in which he lived, the sin of covetousness proved his eternal ruin. We are informed that “he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples,” we are told, “were astonished at his words.” Mark 10: 17-24. All who would be followers today of Christ must renounce ownership and accept a stewardship. Covetousness is not confined to the rich. It is just as common among the poor. It dwells in every heart by nature. “From the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness.” In the time of refreshing referred to on page 126, Vol. IX, “Testimonies for the Church,” when the sick would be healed, miracles wrought, and a spirit of intercession would be seen such as was witnessed before the day of Pentecost; when great blessings would be received by the true and humble people of God, we are told, “Some refused to be converted. They were not willing to walk in God’s way, and when, in order that the work of God might be advanced, calls were made for freewill offerings, some clung selfishly to their earthly possessions. These covetous ones became separated from the company of believers.” Covetousness, it seems, will be the point on which the final test will come to all believers. In “Early Writings,” pages 266-269, we read: “I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ’s second appearing, and keeping all the commandments of God. . . . ‘Go,’ said he, ‘make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. . . . We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain control. . . . Make covetousness and the love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their character. . . . When any shall attempt to give, put within them a grudging disposition, that it may be sparingly.’” We are also told that “as the servants of God appoint meetings, Satan with his angels is on the ground to hinder the work. . . . The grace of God and the light of truth may melt away their covetous, selfish feelings for a little, but if they do not obtain entire victory, Satan comes in when they are not under a saving influence, and withers every noble, generous principle, and they think that too much is required of them. . . . Every selfish, covetous person will fall out by the way. Like Judas, who sold his Lord, they will sell good principles and a noble, generous disposition for a little of earth’s gain. All such will be sifted out from God’s people.” Until the sin of covetousness is called by its right name—idolatry—and is cleansed from the church, we cannot expect God to open the windows of heaven and pour upon his church the latter rain. In the same book, page 71, we find the following: “I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord, and to live in his sight. O, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God.” Before the day of Pentecost the church of Christ was cleansed from the sin of covetousness. The needful preparation for the reception of the Holy Ghost had been made by all who were there assembled, and the outpouring of God’s Spirit for service was the result. Men and women went forth from that meeting and sold their possessions and goods, and “brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4: 32-35. “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Matt. 13: 44. It is possible to find the treasure, and admire it for a time, but never actually come into possession of it, because of unwillingness to sell all to make the purchase. It requires all to buy the field. The one who appreciates the true value of this treasure, who places the right estimate upon it, will not find it a hardship to make this exchange. For joy thereof he “selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”