Reading the title of this week's lesson I thought "I don't consider myself greedy, but I'm going to do the lesson anyway." Well, just like the first week about the complaining attitude, my eyes were opened and I see that I am greedy or covetous. It doesn't have to be about large things like promotions, houses, etc. This sin can take over your life just by coveting little things, like an outfit someone is wearing, pets, electronics (iPods, video games, etc.) and a million other things.
When the desire to have something that someone else has takes over your life and becomes the one and only thing you think about, you have a major problem. Take a look around your house. Is there a place for everything and everything in it's place? If you are like me, the answer is NO. I have too many things taking control of my house. Obviously, a lot of things in your house are needed so your household or job can function properly; but, consider all of the things we just "wanted", either purchased on impulse or you saw someone else have one and saved until you got it. Were they needed items or can you find them buried under a pile of clothes somewhere in the house?
The Bible says we are to be content with what we have. Everything we need, the Lord gives us. If we do not have it, it's not needed right now. This hits me today because just yesterday I was coveting a washer/dryer combo I saw. I've wanted one for a long time, but I realize I should be content with the ones I have and be happy they are working properly. That may seem simple to you, but this is where this sin starts, in the simple things. Before long, if you continue to give into this sin, you are either so far in debt you can't see out, or you are miserable because you think you need more and more things to be happy. In reality, if we are saved, we have everything we need to be happy in Christ.
First and foremost, He died for us. He took all of our sins upon Himself and died so we wouldn't have to. Second, He provides for our needs. We have clothes on our backs (maybe not the latest fashions, but we are clothed). We have food on the table (maybe we can't eat out everyday, but we are not going hungry).
This ties into last week's lesson on a thankful attitude. If we are truly thankful for what the Lord has given us, we will be content with what we have. This is an underestimated sin. I pray God will open our eyes this week to how important it is to be content and not be greedy or covet what others have.
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All I can say is that I read the title of this week's lesson and thought- well this week won't be so bad because I'm not really a covetous person. Was I wrong! I have chosen to overlook signs that I have allowed it start a root in my life and it's now putting out little shoots of the plant and getting ready to bloom and grow more. I want so much but I didn't see it as covetousness because I didn't buy it. I thought I was being smart with my money by saying, "I would really love to have that but I don't have the money"- then I talk about it or look at pictures on the internet or drive through the car lot to drool over what I said that I didn't need. I don't even want to go into the house bursting at the seams with "things"- and some "things" I don't need or have no idea why I even have them now! I pray that God continues to chip away at the places in my heart that I've allowed to be "caked" with sin and create in me a clean heart that is fit for a King to live.
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