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Bible Study: Covetousness

Covetousness has caused a great deal of trouble for the Lord’s people throughout history – even in the church today. The apostle Paul knew of the great dangers that accompanied covetousness, and for this reason gives strong warning to Timothy.

In 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-18, Paul gives powerful reasons why covetousness, or the love of money is so evil. Notice first, that Paul declares, “for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out” (1 Tim. 6:7). When we are born – we are penniless, we own nothing; and the same will be true at our death. Many, evidently, do not realize this vital truth. Our world continues as busy as beavers obtaining more and more wealth. Solomon, Israel’s third king, was like this. In Ecclesiastes we are informed that Solomon gave himself totally to the obtaining of riches. Seeking to find the true meaning to life, he acquired more wealth than any of his time. After gaining all this wealth, what was Solomon’s conclusion? – “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11). Solomon realized that wealth was of no lasting profit. This is exactly what Paul declared in 1 Tim. 6:7.

Paul goes on to say that those who are intent on being rich will “fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9). Covetous desires are sure to injure us – and keep us from heaven. Paul said the “love of money,” – not money itself, “is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10). Realizing this, it vital that we give great consideration as to where we place our priorities. Do we covet what the world has to offer, or do we covet eternal life with God?

It is important to note that though Paul, in our present context, mainly speaks of covetousness in the realm of worldly goods – covetousness can include other items as well. For example, some, it seems, covet peace so much they are willing to overlook the need for discipline and stand for the truth. Those who covet peace at the expense of truth will, as Paul proclaimed, drown in destruction and perdition. May we never covet peace so much that we cry, “Peace, peace; when there is not peace” (Jeremiah 6:14).

Could some congregations of the Lord’s church covet new buildings to meet in? Are some congregations coveting a new building so much that they do not evangelize as much as they should? What should be the church’s main emphasis – to build structures or to save souls? There are many congregations who can not afford a full time preacher simply because they are more interested in a new fancy building.

Are there members of the Lord’s church who covet their free time so much that they allow the Lord’s work to go undone. Many Christians would rather watch television, go fishing, play basketball, or just laze around rather than studying their Bibles, telling others about the good news of the Gospel, attending worship services, or helping others.

The Lord’s church will always be covetousness as long as there are worldly elders, preachers, and members. The church must recognize their true mission – the saving of souls. When our true mission is realized, covetousness will be much less of a problem.