Covetousness versus Contentment

UV 1371/10,000 Covetousness versus Contentment
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13 v 5

Our conversation as well our inner self talk should not be marked by any sign of greed or covetousness. Jesus speaks of the foolish rich man who told himself that he would build bigger barns to store his produce and told his own soul that he had stored up enough for him to live a life of ease and to be able to eat, drink and be merry all his life. But he was foolish as God could take his soul anytime and anyway. The mouth will speak what the heart is full of . If our heart is full of covetousness, we might hear the Word of God but not do it. With our mouth or our words, we will show much love for God and people but our hearts will go after covetousness. What is thought of as normal for humankind, is abhorrent in the eyes of God. It is idolatry in His eyes. Our hearts are to be inclined to His testimonies and not to covetousness or the attitude of what’s in it for me or what can I gain or benefit materially and monetarily in everything I do or every person I know? Those whose hearts are full of covetousness are full of the cares, pleasures and riches of this life and cannot bring any fruit to perfection. Their potential will be choked. Their spiritual growth will be stunted. Their hearts will be where their treasures are. They will not even be able to enjoy the blessings that they have been given. They are not rich toward God but have poverty in their souls.
This morning as I sat and watched the birds in the garden these thoughts crossed my mind: What a delight to sit and watch through binoculars a bird perched high on a branch and discover the unseen and varied hues of its plumage. Why do birds chirp so much in the morning and remain largely silent through the day: they are thanking God for the opportunity to be awake and alive one more day, one more day to fly freely, one more day to see and experience the beauty and joy of living. These birds are not worried about how they are going to go through another day. They are not anxious if they would be able to gather enough food for themselves and their young ones. They are not worried about the threat from larger predators or the storms that might come their way during the day. They are secure in their instinctive knowledge that the God who had created them and all things bright and beautiful so wonderfully would see them through another day.

The Lord asks us not to compare ourselves with others who seem to be prosperous and better off than us. Instead to be contented with such things that we have which He has given into our hands. He asks us to be secure in the knowledge that He will never leave us nor forsake us. The Word promises that He will not leave us until He has done that which He has promised us. It further states that He will not leave us until we have done all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. We need not even fear for the future of our progeny as the Psalmist says that he has not seen the children of the righteous beg for any need. He will not leave us for the sake of His Son and the covenant we have made with Him. He will not leave us due to His faithfulness to His promises. This confidence and assurance should not disappoint us but rather, make us feel secure, fearless, bold, strong and courageous all the days of our short but eventful lives.

Prateep V Philip