The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. ~ Proverbs 28:16
The Plague of Unsatisfiedness, by Thomas Brooks. This is from his work, The Crown and Glory of Christianity, or, Holiness, the Only Way to Happiness.1662.
Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of covetousness; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. ~ Luke 12:15
Covetousness is . . .
a very great and grievous sin;
a mother-sin;
a breeding sin;
a sin which has all sin in its womb;
a very vile and heinous sin;
the root of all evil.
Covetousness makes the soul earthly—which should be celestial.
Covetousness is an evil which subjects men to the basest and vilest evils.
Covetousness makes a man a fool. “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” ~ Luke 12:20
Covetousness robs a man of all true peace, comfort, contentment and quiet.
Covetousness brings men into snares which drown their souls in perdition.
Covetousness renders men unsatisfied under all their outward enjoyments. Though a covetous wretch has enough to sink him—yet he can never have enough to satisfy him. First he wishes for a bag full, and then a chest full, and then a room full, and then a house full, etc.
The plague of unsatisfiedness—is the great plague which covetous men are under. Certainly, you shall as soon fill a triangle with a circle, and a chest with grace—as you shall be able to fill and satisfy a covetous mind with money.
A covetous man is like a swine—which is good for nothing while it lives. The horse is good to carry, the ox is good to draw, the sheep is good for cloth, the cow is good to give milk, and the dog is good to guard the house—but the hog is good for nothing while he lives! Just so, a covetous man is only serviceable when he is dead. That scripture often proves true, “the riches of a sinner are laid up for the just”. ~ Job 27:17
No sin lays men under greater woes. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
~ 1 Timothy 6:9-10
Covetousness, by J. C. Ryle.
Greatness and riches are a perilous possession for the soul. Those who seek to have them, know not what they seek.
They lead men into many temptations. They are likely to fill the heart with pride, and to chain the affections down to things below.
“Not many mighty, not many noble are called.” “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God” ~ I Cor. 1:26; Mk. 10:23.
Do we envy the rich and the great? Does our heart sometimes say, “oh, that I had their place, and rank, and substance?” Let us beware of giving way to such feelings. The very wealth which we admire may be gradually sinking its possessors down into Hell.
A ‘little more money’ might be our ruin. Like Herod, we might run into every excess of wickedness and cruelty.
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” “Be content with such things as you have” ~ Lk. 12:15; Heb. 13:5.
We are most of us far too ready to seek great things” in this world: let us seek them not ~ Jer. 45:5.
To have a place and a title and a position in society is not nearly so important as people think. It is a great sin to be covetous and worldly and proud: but it is no sin to be poor. It matters not so much what money we have, and where we live, as what we are in the sight of God.
Where are we going when we die? Shall we live forever in heaven? These are the main things to which we should attend.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
~ Psalm 34:10
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
~ Philippians 4:11
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
~ 1 Timothy 5:5-8
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
~ Romans 7:7
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
~ Proverbs 28:16
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. ~ Psalm 119:36
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
~ 1 Timothy 6:7-9
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