Joshua 7:21,24-25(KJV)
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
God had delivered Jericho into the hands of the Israelites. And He instructed them to destroy everything in the city, except for Rahab and her family, as well as the city’s gold, silver, bronze, and iron. The metals were to go into the tabernacle treasury; they were sacred to the Lord. All the spoils of Jericho had to be devoted to the Lord. Except for the gold and silver that was to be taken to the tabernacle. The people were to make no profit from this victory. However, disobedience and covetousness enticed Achan to steal what was sacred to God. It resulted in Achan, his family, and his livestock being rained with stones and their bodies burnt. Achan paid the price of stealing with his life. The stones at the valley of Achor are a reminder of Achan’s sin and the high cost of covetousness.
Covetousness is a strong desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. Covetousness is the love for money and material things. It is mentioned in the Ten Commandments as a grave sin, as Exodus 20:17 states, “you shall not covet… anything that is your neighbor’s.” Covetousness is a character issue that is important to the Lord. The inward sin of covetousness often leads to the outward sins of stealing, killing, fornication, adultery, and so on. It is a breeding ground for many other sins. Covetousness dedicates the heart to a dream world. Scheming and even agonizing for stuff that we do not need. Covetousness has ruined so many lives. Behind many armed robbery attacks, prostitution, corruption, and other criminal and immoral vices are not poverty but covetousness. Many have had their chances of greatness dashed due to eagerness to make fast gains. To covet worldly things or status not only brings us mental and emotional distress, perceiving a deficiency that wounds our ego but importantly distracts and separates us from seeking first the Kingdom of God! Christ Jesus in Luke 12:15 said to them, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Beloved, be satisfied with what you have so that you can live in total obedience to God instead of being at the mercy of the devil. Godliness with contentment is a significant gain. Thank God for what you have so that unbelievers will see the light and glorify our Father in Heaven. You have Christ, and that is all you need. Christ in you is the hope of glory, the guarantee that everything else you could ever require is already in you. Guard your heart against greed and covetousness! Never allow them to kill your conscience. Separate yourself from any friend who will talk you into covetousness. Wait patiently for the Lord, and do not worry when people succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes. Do not join the multitude to do evil(Exodus 23:2). No matter what you may be going through, God is with you, able and willing to help. He is a very present help in trouble. The Lord will satisfy your mouth with every good thing that you need in this season and beyond in Jesus’ Name. May money that will take you to hell never enter your hand, in Jesus’ Name. Remember, God remains the Source of true wealth in all ages, for silver and gold are His.
O Lord, take away the spirit of greed and covetousness in my life, help me be content with Your provisions for my life in Jesus’ Name.