5:5Ephesians 5:5

No sexually immoral person, no unclean person, and no greedy person who puts created things in God's place has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Ms 30, 1904, par. 28+4 The exclusion falls on the unrepentant who persist in these evils, for entering the kingdom requires resisting and overcoming sin and being made holy.4SP 361.1–3+2 No one is to be misled by empty excuses about these sins, for God's wrath comes upon the disobedient because of them, and believers are to take no part in them and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them.Ms 30, 1904, par. 28+2 Covetousness is idolatry because it gives money, property, business, honor, and other worldly objects the love, homage, and devotion that belong to God alone, worshiping them in practice even without bowing before them.Lt 31, 1891, par. 50–51+2 This greed grows out of selfishness that puts personal advantage before love to God and mercy to others, showing itself in withholding what belongs to God, grasping for riches and higher wages, neglecting the needy, and refusing to use entrusted means for His work, and it must be put away and overcome or it shuts a person out from eternal life.Ms 70, 1896, par. 16–19+4

For this you know with certainty, that no whoremonger or fornicator or sexually immoral person, nor any unclean or impure person, nor any covetous man who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Ms 30, 1904, par. 28+4 The same exclusion is stated as adulterers, the unclean, and the covetous whose covetousness is idolatry having no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.Ms 30, 1904, par. 28+4 The shut-out class is the unrepentant and persistent wicked, the ungodly and unrepentant who continue in sin, for entry and its blessings are not promised to the unrepentant.4SP 361.1–3+3 Inheriting the kingdom requires resisting and overcoming sin, and holiness is necessary to see the Lord.4SP 361.1–3+1

Let no one be deceived by vain words about these sins, for because of fornication, uncleanness, covetousness and idolatry the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience, and the disobedient face wrath with no inheritance.Ms 30, 1904, par. 28+3 Believers must not share in them nor be partakers with those who practice them, are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather are to reprove them.Ms 30, 1904, par. 28+2 Those who were once darkness are now light in the Lord and must walk as children of the light.Lt 17a, 1891, par. 17–19+1 That walk bears the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness and righteousness and truth, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, which requires close self-investigation and close investigation and a change of mold where this standard has been neglected.Lt 17a, 1891, par. 17–19+1

Uncleanness that must not once be named among saints includes unholy conversation, low cheap sentiments coming from unsanctified lips and impure hearts, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting.Lt 17a, 1891, par. 17–19 Being unclean and shut out from any inheritance includes benumbing the senses and paralyzing reason by tobacco smoking and intoxicating drinks, for no unclean thing will enter the kingdom of God.Ms 43a, 1894, par. 16–19 Such use introduces poison into the system, enslaves to a perverted appetite that has no foundation in nature, sells reason and gives it to the devil, and ruins both soul and body.Ms 43a, 1894, par. 16–19 Christians are not to associate with this impure, immoral, and covetous idolatrous class, but by keeping apart they practice the known will of God and love as brethren, while by unity and love they reveal the character of Christ.Ms 39, 1896, par. 15–16 If they cannot lift such persons up, association with them will pull them down.Ms 39, 1896, par. 15–16

God's grace redeems and regenerates people and adopts them as heirs with Christ, and can deliver even those whom Satan has debased from suffering and coming wrath.RH Jan 5, 1905 The kingdom does not reward the selfish or proud, and covetousness by itself excludes from an inheritance in Christ's kingdom.RH Feb 18, 1909 Eternal life belongs to those who receive Christ's perfect character, where holiness and nobility of character are true wealth.RH Feb 18, 1909 Knowledge of truth in the heart, virtue, and Christlike love mark those who share in Christ's kingdom.RH Feb 18, 1909

A covetous person is an idolater, and as such has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Lt 31, 1891, par. 50–51+4 Those who allow a covetous disposition to take possession of them cherish and develop traits of character that stand recorded in heaven as idolatry.Ms 70, 1896, par. 16–19 Covetousness is idolatry because it gives worldly treasure and created things the place, love, homage, and devotion that belong to God.Lt 31, 1891, par. 50–51+3

Making money, business, property, houses, land, fame, honor, or lust the object of greater love than God is worshiping it as an idol.ST May 18, 1882+1 People may not literally bow before their possessions, yet they worship them when they use entrusted goods for selfish ends and refuse to serve God.RH May 23, 1907 Such conduct denies God in practice and makes profession of faith false, and love of money so placed cannot coexist with keeping God's law because it places the heart's devotion on wealth rather than heavenly things.RH May 23, 1907+1 Those who do so are classed with idolaters, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners, none of whom shall inherit the kingdom, and the fruits of such sins dishonor God.Ms 70, 1896, par. 16–19+1

Covetousness is the fruit of selfishness, a selfish grasping spirit that puts personal advantage before mercy and love of God.Ms 70, 1896, par. 16–19+1 It is ever opposed to Christian beneficence, revealing itself in neglect of duty and failure to use entrusted gifts to advance His work, in craving wealth and giving money-making projects one's time and effort so as to keep from serving God's work.Ms 70, 1896, par. 16–19+1 It is a defect that disqualifies from being a genuine Christian unless recognized and corrected, so injustice must be put away and principles of justice and mercy must govern daily conduct.ST Feb 7, 1884+1 Unchecked love of money, as in Judas, grows until it rules life, eclipses love for Jesus, debases the mind, enslaves to avarice, betrays integrity and the Saviour for worldly gain, and puts in danger of any crime.ST May 23, 1878+1 This warns that those claiming to follow Christ may instead serve self and money.ST May 23, 1878

The verse applies to those fully resolved to be rich regardless of God's claims, including withholding tithes and offerings.Lt 46, 1888, par. 16–18 Being in this covetous class leaves no hope of the kingdom and requires conversion, putting covetousness away from disposition and habits of life, and being content in trust in God's promise never to leave nor forsake.Lt 46, 1888, par. 16–18 The verse applies also to grasping after ever-higher wages, which dishonors God, weakens spirituality, and requires a complete change of heart and mind.RH Jan 4, 1906 Diverting money from the field for which it was raised is covetousness for which those who took part are responsible before God.Lt 98, 1899, par. 8 Selfish indulgence and neglect of hungry, homeless, and suffering people are offenses against God, and persisting in them leaves no inheritance.COL 261.3

Covetousness that governs heart, mind, and soul is incompatible with entering the kingdom.21MR 144.2 Selfishness, covetousness, and other evil traits must be removed from character, and though painful, leaving them unchecked makes a person offensive to God and hard-hearted toward those needing help.ST May 20, 1897 Truth sanctifies the heart and leads to giving up covetousness, worldliness, deceit, falsehood, and impurity so Christ may occupy the soul.ST May 18, 1882 The warning is to be studied and practiced by ministers and members, as relevant to choosing Christ's side rather than the world's and turning from selfish indulgences in eating, drinking, and dress.Ms 64, 1898, par. 18–19