Part 5

 1. The tenth commandment condemns covetousness. (Exod. 20:17; Deut. 5:21).

• It was wrong to covet another's house, wife, man-servant, maid-servant, ox, or ass.

• It was wrong to covet "anything that is thy neighbor's."

 2. Covetousness defined

• "Covetousness" is "an inordinate desire to have that which belongs another."

• It is not to be confused with emulation.

• It is not wrong to try to emulate one's neighbor.

• One might seek to be like one's neighbor.

• It is not wrong per se to desire something.

• The tenth commandment condemns the attitude that leads one to take what belongs to one's neighbor.

• It condemns the attitude that leads one to harm his neighbor to obtain what belongs to him.

• The New Testament writers use the word "covetousness" to mean "an inordinate love of money and of other material possessions."

• A man came to Jesus and asked Jesus to bid his brother to divine the inheritance with him. (Lk. 12:13).

• Christ refused. (Lk. 12:14). .

• He gave this warning. (Lk. 12:15).

• Christ then gave a parable of a man who gave his life to the accumulation of material things. (Lk.12:16-21).

1. The rich fool had no thought for God.

2. He had no thought for others.

3. He only thought of himself.

• He uses the pronouns "I" and "my" over and over again.

• He was completely absorbed with self.

4. In several passages we find the word "covetousness" in the King James Version while in the American Standard Version it is translated "love of money". (Lk. 16:14; 1 Tim. 3:3; 2 Tim. 3:2).

5. Covetousness is called "idolatry." (Col. 3:5).

6. The rich young ruler who was covetous turned sorrowfully away from Jesus, because he was unwilling to remove this idol from his heart. (Matt. 19:16-22).

• He chose to serve the god of mammon instead of the God of heaven.

• Jesus warned we cannot serve two masters. (Matt.6:24).

7. Here are some observations about covetousness.

• Covetousness is the root of many other sins.

• It leads to a departure from the faith. (1 Tim. 6:10).

• It caused Gehazi to lie. (2 Kgs. 5:20-27).

• It prompted Achan to steal. (Josh 7:16-21).

• It leads to domestic trouble. (Prov. 15:27).

• This sin led David to commit adultery. (2 Sam.11:1-5).

• It has caused murder. (Ezek. 22:12).

• It causes men to cheat.

• Covetousness is the equivalent of "lust." (Matt. 5:27,28).

• God kept the nations from coveting the possessions of the Israelites who observed the three appointed feasts. (Exod. 34:23,24).

• Covetousness is as old as man, but the law revealed it was sinful. (Rom. 7:7).

• Covetousness causes men to forget God, and become occupied with laying up treasures on earth.

• Covetousness causes men to forget others.

• It hinders the fulfillment of The Great Commission.

• It keeps people from being fed and clothed.

• No covetous person can serve as an elder or deacon. (1 Tim. 3:3, 8).

• Covetousness is such a heinous sin that the Scriptures class it among the most distasteful and abominable sins. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10).

• Paul made it clear that covetousness will keep a person from inheriting the kingdom of heaven. (1 Cor. 6:9,10).

• Paul taught covetousness was futile. (1 Tim. 6:7).

• Most of us are blind to our covetousness.

• How many times have you ever heard someone confess this sin?

• How many times have you ever confessed this sin?

4. Cure For Covetousness

• We should acknowledge (confess) sin to God, and pray He will help us overcome it.

• We should count our blessings - not our neighbor's possessions.

• We should recognize this sin will lead to other sins and must be shunned.

• We should remember the covetous person will not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9,10).

• We should seek the good of our neighbor, not his harm. (Matt. 7:12; 22:39; Phil. 2:4).