COVETOUSNESS

I. What are the Scriptural warnings regarding covetousness? 
    1. What you covet will someday pass away. Proverbs 23:5 
    2. No matter how much you have, you’ll always desire more. Ecclesiastes 5:10 
    3. Our conversation must be guarded against covetousness. Hebrews 13:5 
    4. We are warned not to keep company with a covetous person. I Corinthians 5:11 
    5. Covetousness will be especially strong in the last days. II Timothy 3:2, II Peter 2:3 

II. What is God’s attitude toward covetousness? 
    1. He abhors it. Psalms 10:3 
    2. Covetousness is compared to other sins like adultery, fornication, murder, theft, wickedness, blasphemy, and pride. Mark 7:21-22 
    3. Covetousness is idolatry. Colossians 3:2 

III. What are the consequences if I practice covetousness? 
    1. Covetousness will bring problems at home. Proverbs 15:27 
    2. Covetousness is contagious. Jeremiah 6:13 
    3. Covetousness chokes the Word in our hearts so it is unproductive. Matt 13:22 
    4. Covetousness will bring added temptations. I Timothy 6:9 
    5. Covetousness is like a trap that ensnares us. I Timothy 6:9 
    6. Covetousness will bring harmful desires and lusts to destroy our effectiveness. I Timothy 6:9 
    7. Covetousness will bring personal loss. I Timothy 6:9 
    8. Covetousness brings many sorrows. I Timothy 6:10 
    9. Covetousness of the heart leads to the greater wrong of getting things in the wrong way. Micah 2:2

IV. What are some examples of those who were not covetous? 
    1. Paul II Cor 6:10, Phil 4:11-12 
    2. Christ II Cor 8:9 

V. What is the value of contentment? 
    I Timothy 6:6 Greatest asset one can have. 

VI. What are we to be contented with? 
    1. Food and clothes. I Timothy 6:8 
    2. Whatever God has given. Hebrews 13:5 
    3. Wages. Luke 3:14 
    4. In whatever situation. Phil 4:11 

VII. How can one overcome covetousness? 
    1. One must learn to be content. Philippians 4:11 
    2. Focus on what you have; not on what you do not have. Philippians 4:11 
    3. Accept the fact that God may withhold something to build a character quality in our lives. Phil 4:12 

(Explanation to the counselor)

I. What are the Scriptural warnings regarding covetousness?

The Bible clearly shares warnings regarding covetousness. Everything we desire in material possessions will someday pass away. It will rust, rot, be stolen or lose its value. Our focus in life should be on those things that are eternal in value. 1) No matter what we have, our sinful human nature always wants more. That desire must be controlled daily by the Holy Spirit. 2) The Bible warns against allowing our words to be controlled by covetousness. One evidence of covetousness is continually complaining about the things we do not have. 3) The Bible also warns against being a close companion of a covetous person. One will soon pick up his values and share his problem. 4) In the days just prior to the coming of Christ, covetousness will be a major problem. With the addition of so many possessions today, the believer will have a greater problem than believers in the past.

II. What is God’s attitude toward covetousness?

It is important to share God’s feelings regarding our problem with covetousness. He hates it, because it leads to a form of idolatry. Idolatry is worshipping God’s creation rather than God. Our possessions may take the place of the worship that God deserves. Sample questions: -Are you aware of how God feels about your covetousness? (1) -Do you recognize the fact that God places the sin of covetousness on the same level as adultery, murder, theft, etc. (2) -Why does God say covetousness is the same as idolatry? (3)

III. What are the consequences if I practice covetousness?

The Bible lists nine consequences to the problem of covetousness. If the problem is not resolved in an individuals life or if they are unwilling to deal with the problem, these principles may be used to motivate them to see the need for correcting the problem. Sample questions: -Do you realize the effect that covetousness has on your relationship to your family members? (1) Share by illustration how covetousness causes greater conflict in the home. -Are you aware that this sin is contagious? (2) Explain. -Do you desire to grow spiritually? Are you aware that covetousness will make you unproductive because the Word is choked and not allowed to grow in your heart? (3) -Do you want to experience more temptations than you would normally experience? Covetousness leads to additional temptations. (4) Explain. -Would you want to be trapped with a problem that you could not resolve? (5) Covetousness ensnares a person. Illustrate. -One of the consequences of covetousness is that he will struggle with desires that will destroy his effectiveness. (6) -Are you willing to accept personal loss? (7) Personal loss is one of the consequences. -The road of a covetous person is filled with many sorrows, the Bible reveals. One who is covetous has many expectations that will never be fulfilled. (8)

IV. What are some examples of those who were not covetous?

Paul was able to accept each circumstance in life as part of God’s purpose. He was willing to accept hunger or the provision of food. He was willing to suffer as a result of needs not being met or be thankful if the need was met. Christ is another example of one who was content. He shared that foxes have holes to live in and birds had nests but he had no place to lay his head; yet he never complained. Neither Paul nor Christ had any home or many personal possessions.

V. What is the value of contentment?

One of the greatest assets a believer can have is the combination of godliness plus contentment. This is something that God cherishes in our lives. Sample question: -What is the most valuable thing you can possess as far as God is concerned?

VI. What are we to be contented with?

The Bible encourages us to be contented with food, clothes, what God has provided, wages, and whatever situation we are in. Sample questions: -Are you content with the things God says you should be content with? -What areas of discontent are there in your life?

VII. How can one overcome covetousness?

Contentment is a quality that must be learned. It is difficult to teach another by personal example. Contentment is developed by appeciating all the things God has provided for us, rather than focusing on the few things we do not have. We must also realize that God may withhold certain things to develop Christian character in our lives. Our focus, should be to develop that quality as quickly as possible in our lives, to allow God to provide the need we have. Real meaning and fulfillment does not come from what we have or do not have but in our relationship and submission to God and others. Having possessions does not produce a happy fulfilled person. Luke 12:15

Notice: These materials are not intended to take the place of professional, mental health services, but rather to provide Biblical insight and helpful resources regarding various spiritual and emotional problems.  While we are glad to offer these resources for your personal use, we encourage you to contact our pastor, Nolan Jackson, Sr., for in-depth, free, Christian Counseling. If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please call 770-786-8676 or e-mail (be sure to include contact information).

                                       Belmont Baptist Church - Pastor Nolan Jackson, Sr. - 3275 Iris Dr. - Conyers, GA  30013 - 770-786-8676