Beware Of Covetousness, Part II

"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." (2)

"The Saviour's mission on earth was fast drawing to a close. Only a few months remained for Him to complete what He had come to do, in establishing the kingdom of His grace. Yet human greed would have turned Him from His work to take up the dispute over a piece of land. But Jesus was not to be diverted from His mission. His answer was, 'Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?' (2)

"Jesus could have told this man just what was right. He knew the right in the case; but the brothers were in a quarrel because both were covetous. Christ virtually said, It is not My work to settle controversies of this kind. He came for another purpose, to preach the gospel, and thus to arouse men to a sense of eternal realities.

"In Christ's treatment of this case is a lesson for all who minister in His name. When He sent forth the twelve, He said, 'As you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.' (3) They were not to settle the temporal affairs of the people. Their work was to persuade men to be reconciled to God. In this work lay their power to bless humanity. The only remedy for the sins and sorrows of men is Christ. The gospel of His grace alone can cure the evils that curse society. The injustice of the rich toward the poor, the hatred of the poor toward the rich, alike have their root in selfishness, and this can be eradicated only through submission to Christ. He alone, for the selfish heart of sin, gives the new heart of love. Let the servants of Christ preach the gospel with the Spirit sent down from heaven, and work as He did for the benefit of men. Then such results will be manifest in the blessing and uplifting of mankind as are wholly impossible of accomplishment by human power.

"Our Lord struck at the root of the affair that troubled this questioner, and of all similar disputes, saying, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.' " (4)

1. Luke 12:15.
2. Luke 12:14.
3. Matthew 10:7, 8.
4. Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 253-255.