The word covetousness literally means “love of money,” but it can be applied to a love for more of anything. Covetousness is the desire for more, whether we need it or not.

Contentment cannot come from material things, for they can never satisfy the heart. Only God can do that. When we have God, we have all we need. Material things can decay or be stolen, but God will never leave us or forsake us. This promise was made to Joshua when he succeeded Moses and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, so we may claim this promise for ourselves.

A woman said to evangelist D.L. Moody, “I have found a promise that helps me when I am afraid. It is Psalm 56:3—‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.’”Mr. Moody replied, “I have a better promise than that! Isaiah 12:2—‘I will trust, and not be afraid.’”

Both promises are true; each has its own application. The important thing is that we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Helper, and that we not put our trust in material things. Contented Christians are people with priorities, and material things are not high on their priority lists.

The Bible commands: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15, NIV).

For further study: Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 118:6; Deuteronomy 31:7-8; Joshua 1:5, 9; Matthew 28:20; Acts 18:9-10.

Action assignment: Write down five concerns that cause you fear today. Make a deliberate act of placing each fear into God’s hand.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in