Wednesday,
December 18, 2024
Luke 12:15
15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of
covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things
which he possesseth.
The
above verse is part of an encounter with a man
who came to Jesus asking him to help parcel out the family inheritance. In
verse 13 the man asks Jesus to demand that his brother share the inheritance
with him. Jesus responded in verse 14 by explaining that He did not come to be
a judge of such things and then, in the following verses, gives the story of
the rich man who had no place to store his goods.
The
language of verse 15 is interesting, even amusing.
The word “beware” means “to isolate” and the words “take heed” literally meant
“to stare at.” The idea is to isolate and fix your gaze upon
covetousness. The word “covetousness” is pleonexia and indicates goods gained
by fraud or extortion.
Christmas
is full of stories about fraud and greedy money grabbers.
Ebenezer Scrooge and surly Mr. Potter were not happy with their great horde of
money and goods. Threadbare George Bailey had a “drafty old house” full of love
and laughter. Crippled Tiny Tim was able to say, “God bless us every one!” All
these Christmas stories compliment the teaching of Jesus regarding things. The
abundance of things can never enrich one’s life. Isolate and stare at
this truth.
1 Tim 6:6-9
6
[And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with
contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great
and abundant gain.
7
For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything
out of the world;
8
But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).
9
But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many
foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and
destruction and miserable perishing.
AMPLIFIED
Dear
Lord, during this season of great, grabbing commerce, let me be content with
family, friends and with you! Give us such things as we truly need and help us
to isolate and stare hard at covetousness. AMEN
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