When will covetousness be eradicated?
(Joshua 7:21; Luke 12:15; John 12:1-8; Ephesians 5:5) Blog Feb. 26 – Mar. 4, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God who provides us with all things that pertain unto life and godliness deserves our worship. This will include our service of love, our tithes, and our offerings, for we desire to have treasure in heaven, in the form of souls who have come to faith through our efforts. Our investments, employment, and possessions will all be influenced by the god we have chosen to serve.
Its Source
1. Where did covetousness first appear? Covetousness first appeared in heaven when Lucifer desired to take God’s throne (Isa. 14:12-14).
2. When did covetousness enter this earth? Covetousness entered this earth when Eve desired the forbidden fruit to make her wise like God (Gen. 3:6).
3. When Adam ate the forbidden fruit who else became covetous? When Adam sinned all his posterity were destined to be born covetous (Psa. 58:3; Rom. 5:12).
4. When does David say he became covetous? David says that at conception he became a sinner (Psa. 51:5).
5. In what way does God tell us what sin is? God tells us what sin is by giving us the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17; 1 John 3:43).
6. Of all the Commandments which one deals with covetousness? The tenth commandment deals with our natural desire to possess something that is not ours to have: covetousness (Ex. 20:17; Rom. 7:7).
7. Where is our covetousness located? Covetousness is located in our hearts (Mark 7:21-23).
8. Is it a sin to have a sinful heart, a covetous nature? Yes, it is a sin to have a sinful nature, a covetous heart (Prov. 16:5; 21:4; Jer. 17:9).
9. How does the Bible express the sinfulness of evil thoughts? God says that our hearts are wicked & the imagination of our thoughts is continually evil from our youth (Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Deut. 15:9; Prov. 30:32; Eze. 38:10; Matt. 9:4; 15:19).
Its Results
10. What kind of men was Moses counseled to put over God’s people as judges? Moses was counseled to put as judges, men who hated covetousness (Ex. 18:21).
11. How did Joseph’s brothers express their covetous thoughts? Joseph’s brothers expressed their covetousness by selling him as a slave (Gen. 37:26-27; 50:20).
12. What former prophet of God does the Bible use as an illustration of covetousness? The Bible presents Balaam as an example of covetousness (Num. 22:21; 2 Pet. 2:14-15; Jude 1:11).
13. Whose covetousness brought defeat in battle to God’s people? Achan’s covetousness brought defeat to God’s people including death (Josh. 7:21).
14. What resulted from Judas’ covetousness? Judas’ covetousness led him to steal money from Christ’s treasury, to sell Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, & to betray him in Gethsemane (John 12:1-8).
15. How were Ananias and Saphira punished for their covetousness? The Lord slew both Ananias & Saphira for their covetousness (similar to what happened to Achan) (Acts 5:3-11).
Dealing with It
16. How did God tell Cain to deal with his sinful nature? God tells Cain to rule over his sinful nature, just as he tells Christians to do also (Gen. 4:7; Rom. 6:12).
17. What hope does Paul give us for overcoming our tendency to let our covetousness express itself in actions? Paul says that God always provides a way of escape from temptation so that we need not fall (1 Cor. 10:13).
18. When writing to Timothy what method does Paul give for overcoming covetousness? Paul wants us to be godlike & contented with what we have, remembering that we will take nothing out of this world (1 Tim. 6:6-7).
19. Why does Paul equate covetousness with idolatry? Idolatry is to esteem something else (ourselves) more important than God & covetousness does just that: it is selfishness (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).
20. When will the covetous corruption of our hearts be eradicated? Our corruption of nature, selfish covetousness, will be removed at glorification when the voice of God thunders from heaven (the time of the special resurrection), a short while before Jesus appears in the clouds of heaven (Rom. 8:17-21; 1 Cor. 15:42; Rev. 11:15; 16:17).