Day 12/260: Read Luke 12

How many warnings can be found in the New Testament about the dangers of covetousness? To covet is to want a thing so badly that you are consumed by that desire.

The apostle Paul exhorted the church at Colosse to “put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). When we elevate something to a place of inordinate desire and make it more important than God, that becomes our idol. It may be something expensive like our car or our house, or it could be something relatively inexpensive like a particular brand of clothing, cell phone, or collectible. The object itself is not necessarily sinful, but the act of coveting the thing is sin.

Jesus says that “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” You may have seen the bumper sticker, “The one with the most toys wins.” Sadly, there are many Christians who live that bumper sticker rather than the words of our Lord.

Where are your priorities? Are you being a good steward with God’s blessings?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Luke 12:15, And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

Pray

Pray for the strength to resist covetousness in this overly materialistic world, recognizing that God’s blessings should be used for His glory rather than feeding our appetites.