Sin of Covetousness
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etousness; and these evils strengthen by active exercise. God knows
our danger and has hedged us about with means to prevent our own
ruin. He requires the constant exercise of benevolence, that the force
of habit in good works may break the force of habit in an opposite
direction.
God requires an appropriation of means for benevolent objects
every week, that in the frequent exercise of this good quality the heart
may be kept open like a flowing stream and not allowed to close up.
By exercise, benevolence constantly enlarges and strengthens, until it
becomes a principle and reigns in the soul. It is highly dangerous to
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spirituality to allow selfishness and covetousness the least room in the
heart.
The word of God has much to say in regard to sacrificing. Riches
are from the Lord and belong to Him. “Both riches and honor come
of Thee.” “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of
hosts.” “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a
thousand hills.” “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein.” It is the Lord thy God that giveth
thee power to get wealth.
Riches are in themselves transient and unsatisfying. We are warned
not to trust in uncertain riches. “Riches certainly make themselves
wings; they fly away.” “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through
and steal.”
Riches bring no relief in man’s greatest distress. “Riches profit not
in the day of wrath.” “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to
deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath.” “Because there is wrath,
beware lest He take thee away with His stroke: then a great ransom
cannot deliver thee.” This warning, my brother, is appropriate in your
case.
What provision, Brother P, have you made for eternal life? Have
you a good foundation against the time to come, that will secure to
yourself eternal joys? Oh, may God arouse you! May you, my dear
brother, now, just now, commence to work in earnest to get some of
your gain and riches into the treasury of God. Not a dollar of it is yours.
All is God’s, and you have claimed for your own that which God has
lent you to devote to good works. Your time is very short. Work with
all your might. By repentance you may now find pardon. You must