Beware of Covetousne$$ Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Be on guard, avoid “all covetousness” ASV

The Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:16-21

Covetousness Defined Extreme desire for things - gain in dishonest way Love of Money Pharisees - Luke 16:14 “who were covetous” 2 Tim. 3:2 - “lovers of money” - “covetous” A person does not have to be rich to be covetousness, nor does he have to be rich to make riches his god !

Warnings about covetousness “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.” Exodus 20:17 Psalms 119:36 “and not to covetousness” Habakkuk 2:6 Woe to him that increaseth [that which is] not his! Isaiah 5:8 “Woe unto them that…”

Warnings about covetousness “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”Lk.12:15 Hebrews 13:5 “[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV) “For the love of money is a root of all [kinds] [of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

C onsequences ovetousness Idolatry of “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Col.3:5

C onsequences ovetousness Family Problems of “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.” Prov. 15:27

C onsequences ovetousness Lying, Stealing, Murder of Gehazi lied - 2 Kings 5:22-25 Achan Stole - Joshua 7:21 Princes shed innocent blood - Ezekiel 22:12

C onsequences ovetousness Depart from the Faith of Matt. 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 1 Cor. 5:11 “not to keep company with” Demas - 2 Tim. 4:10

Why is anyone Covetous ? Ignorant of the “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

Why is anyone Covetous ? Ignorant of the Mathew 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:”

Why is anyone Covetous ? Ignorant of the 1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

Why is anyone Covetous ? Ignorant of the Eccl. 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

Covetousne$$ A common Sin Let us learn that “things” are not the most important “things” ! What difference will it make 100 years from now ?

Covetousne$$ “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.” Matt. 16:26 Happiness is not determined by what we have but by what we are !

Covetousne$$ Luke 12:15 “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evanscoc@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning March 25, 2012