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"But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints."

Text: Ephesians 5:3

COVETOUSNESS (“pleonexia”)

1. The verbal root word “pleonazo”

In itself it does not have a bad connotation at all.

a) Pleonazo simply describes a person who is able to make his fortune.

b) Through hard work, through the blessing of God, he is able to multiply what he has

2. The noun form “pleonexia”

a) It describes a greedy desire for plenty

b) It describes avarice

DANGER OF COVETOUSNESS

Covetousness is highlighted because not everyone would be aware of its potential danger. Let us consider how coveting can indeed lead to the downfall of the believer. In his pastoral epistle to Timothy Paul highlighted this problem.

1. A doctrinal problem

The problem of covetousness was also a doctrinal problem. Paul alerted Timothy to some who made this wrong assertion

That godliness is a means of gain.
1 TIMOTHY 6:5

a) There were those who made use of religion to gain wealth.

b) This false notion must be combated.

2. The snare of covetousness

Paul highlighted another problem that may not seem so obvious to those who had not known the world so well. The young, in particular, must be carefully taught concerning the dangers associated with the sin of covetousness. Paul was right in placing the sin of covetousness on the same plane as “fornication and uncleanness”.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts
which drown men in destruction and perdition.
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.
1 TIMOTHY 6:9-10