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"Let your conduct be without covetousness..."

Text: Hebrews 13:5b

THE PROBLEM OF COVETOUSNESS

The problem of covetousness was addressed in the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. The commandment not to covet was the tenth Commandment (Cf. Exodus 20:17). This commandment is arguably one of the hardest words to obey! This problem was touched upon in the following text.

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

1. Let your conduct be without covetousness

a) Covetousness is really a problem that is very deep-seated.

b) It often lies hidden.

c) Nevertheless covetousness ultimately affects the conduct.

d) The challenge to be “without covetousness” is valid and important.

i) It is valid because it is part of God’s commandments.

ii) It is important because it affects our conduct.

iii) It is possible to be free from covetousness.

2. Be content with such things as you have

a) The answer to the problem of being covetous is the practice of “contentment”.

i) The individual is not without “material things”.

ii) The person who covets is just desirous of “more things”.

iii) The challenge is to be satisfied with what one possesses rather than to desire what others have.

b) The practice of contentment.

i) It begins with a spirit of gratitude for what God has blessed us with.

ii) The spirit of gratitude reminds us that there are many who are worse off than we are! We have no reason to covet other people’s wealth!