Beware of Covetousness Luke 12:15

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?”, and in chapter twelve and verse fifteen of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “take heed, and beware of covetousness” where we read:

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:” Luke began with the words, “and he said unto them” or “and Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to the man and the people with him”, “Take heed” which means “perceive, know, become acquainted with and experience”, “and beware” or “and guard, watch, keep an eye on and protect from the way” “of covetousness” which means “pertaining to the greedy desire to have more or avarice”. Luke shared how Jesus warned the man who asked Him to speak to his brother and the crowd with him to “perceive and be on guard” against being “greedy”.

The verse goes on to say, “for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.” Luke continued with the words, “for a man's life” or “because, since and on account that a person whether male or female's fullness living” “consists not” which means “does not profit, remain, follow or endure” “in the abundance of the things” or “within the great overflowing, affluence and excellence belonging to the objects” “which he possesses” which means “that a person holds, owns or the substance he has”. Luke shared how Jesus said a person's “living” does not “profit and remain” by all the “possessions” he owns.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus put in perspective the temporary “things” within the world. At best, people will only “have” or “own” their “possessions” for a hundred years or so. The “soul” of a person is “eternal”, and one hundred million years from now, their “soul” will continue to live. Jesus came into the world to pay the price for the “sins” of mankind by dying on the cross, and when a person submits themselves to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they shall be forgiven of their “sins” and receive “everlasting life” with God. Let all who consider these words yield their lives to the One who holds all “eternal” things in His hands.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus refers to, “the ground of a certain rich man”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".