Covetousness

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5  NKJV

The 'I want' syndrome exists in many people - including Christians. There is a strong desire to want what another person has, it is a strong desire, almost like lust. Someone else buys a new car and the 'I want' person has to go buy something much better. It's the same with the house, furniture and the clothes that people wear. It can become quite competitive.

Just what is Covetousness? Let's check it out:

'It includes seeking personal recognition and wanting power over others. The need to be the centre of attention and craving for what other people have are uppermost and can include: House, wealth, wife/husband, car, job and success to describe some things. Ungratefulness for what God has given us and moaning and grumbling, never being satisfied.'

We need to be content; what God has given us in Jesus is far better. God becomes angry when we are ungrateful. Take for instance the Israelites. They received freedom when Moses went to get them yet: 'They soon forgot His works; thy did not wait for His counsel. 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. 15 And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.'  Psalm 106:13-15.

God let them have their own way but they had to face their own consequences. Not good.

We need to be content with the things that we have and God has provided. When we want what others have, we are showing God that we are ungrateful for what He has provided. Young children act in this way. They want what another child has got and will, sometimes try and take it away from the other child. We are children - children of God but, that doesn't mean that we should act as such. We are called to be mature and secure in our relationship with God, not going around sulking because someone is better off than we are. As I said, God is not pleased when we act in such a way. There is no room for striving to be better than other people in the kingdom of God. If we feel that there is any covetousness within us, we need to repent and ask God to remove this stubborn distraction from our Daily Life with Jesus.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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