Covetousness by Epsilon

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 36.

Covetousness.

By Epsilon

COVETOUSNESS is one of the prevalent sins of the last days. We find it second in order in the list of sins given in 2 Tim. 3: 2-5: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power; from such turn away."

It hardly seems possible that one should be covetous and otherwise faultless, for covetousness like other sins is not a single fault. We learn from Col. 3: 5 that covetousness is idolatry. To keep the first commandment in spirit, as well as in letter, we must love God with all the mind, soul, and strength. But a covetous person loves the object coveted more than he loves God, who claims supreme love.

We see in the list of sins at the head of this article that covetousness is associated with pride and selfishness. The apostle probably did not mean to give an unbroken chain of sins; but we can trace many of them from the one preceding it in the order. From selfishness we can trace covetousness. Selfish and also covetous people are apt to boast either by word or display. Display is a way that pride has of boasting, or of exhibiting itself in order to win the approbation of the world.

The law is like a person. We cannot wound a person at any point without causing pain. James therefore says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." That is, a law-breaker is a law-breaker. But a fact which few people seem to discern, is that seldom if ever one precept of the law is violated singly. Alas! alas! how many professed Christians long for the honor and attention which the world shows to its own flashy rich people!

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2: 15. EPSILON.