Christian people have the Lord and turn to him in all things; they draw their satisfaction, peace, and happiness from him. But covetousness spoils this: ‘No! I need more.’ It is an insult to him. I fix my mind on the decorating, or on yet more clothes and a yet bigger car and better home: all for my satisfaction. I must gloat, I must dream, I must plan for personal benefit – that is covetousness. If you yield to desires and lusts over materials things, then you weaken yourself and you will soon be yielding to moral temptations. You will soon be yielding to excuses and lies. Of course we all need various things: we need a home, and we need to equip it properly; we need transport and clothing. But what an opportunity for the enemy of souls to come in and inflame that desire so that we want more than we need. When we do that we have no room for the appreciation of divine things. The devil can make fools of us with ostentation, and with things flatter us and make us feel superior. For some people it is qualifications, but there is always something more to make us feel good; it is a mother sin.
There are churches that have lost their dynamic, because the office bearers have become covetousness men, so they have lost their zeal and concern for the church and its work. It is a very infectious sin, particularly in those who should be examples to the flock. It is a persistent temptation; it will come at you again and again. You cannot say, ‘You don't understand. I am a little covetous, but I can keep it just there.’ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, we read in Ecclesiastes, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. The range of covetous desires will broaden and extend. It is a growing temptation. It isn't the hardest temptation to kill. If you get at it in the first stages, you can put to death covetous desire, you can pray to God for help, and develop self-control.
What are the remedies for covetousness? But how can I get rid of it? One good way to begin with is to consider its harmfulness. You consider how it will tear your soul apart, and you will begin to be motivated to deal with it. Once you see the damage, pray much and desire that you will be free from it. Covetousness is actually a department of pride. All that daydreaming, all that grasping after things in your mind beyond what is necessary, is done to feed your self-image. I am so important, I must be noticed and admired. Never envy other people over material things. Envy other people if they have got more faith than you, and more endurance and greater effectiveness in prayer and in service. Those are the things to envy. Practice self-denial sometimes. ‘It would be nice to have this, but actually I do not need this thing. I can get on perfectly well at my current level. It may be a slightly painful decision, but it toughens me.’ Of course, a great antidote to covetousness is to be a great steward. It is not only our calling, our privilege, but it is an antidote to covetousness.
When we have promises like these, what do we need with excessive worldly things? Think of Christ: he is our all-knowing friend in heaven. He knows the very hour he will take us out of this present life and bring us home to glory. He knows every step of our way. He knows our every effort to please him and to serve him. He knows every piece of hostility that will be aimed at us by detractors, by the devil himself. Why do we need to be comforting ourselves with earthly gain, when we already possess so much more? If God will never leave us nor forsake us then our treasure in heaven is eternally secure, but what do we possess on earth that will not be taken from us at the end of life? Don't forfeit your sense of Christ. You are a child of God; choose him and he will fill your life.