Covetous Heart

An Attitude of Lustful Desires Numbers 11:4-9; 16-23 James 4:1-3

“ Knowing when our wants become a sin”

I have learned from the years of teaching the Lord’s people that covetousness has a powerful stronghold in people’s life. We are not only in bondage to covetousness but in plain denial about it. In Proverbs 22:7

Proverbs 22:7 (NKJV)

And the borrower is servant to the lender.

But yet we mortgage the kids and sell the cow to accumulate more than we need and yet have less to give to others. and then in the end we see the for sale sign on the house, or the family fighting and destroying its nature over money.

Therefore I challenge us all here today to go deep into this biblical study and learn how to desire more joy and peace in a diluted world. Let's look at the word says about Covetousness

Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; Nu 11:4–5.

1. Wanting wrong things-(Verse 4-5)

In the KJV, the word craving is said lusting when define it says (Intensely lusting). Longing for a long time. Its not just something that comes over night. This would be the crime of 1st degree murder. Means it was remediated, thought out in your mind in several different ways. They had been thinking about going back to Egypt for a while. its as if they saw how hard things where, they began to remember the old days in way that was false to the children of Isreal and shows how we try to make ourselves believe that we had it better before. That this Christian way is not so grand and we began to conjure ways to sabotage so that you can justify and return what really wasn't what you think.

“Intense craving” “Intensely Lusting” Longing for a longtime. Premediated Ideas. First we have Complaining, Envy and now we add covetousness to the cycle process and we begin to see why the Isrealites are wondering in a circle.

Married couples one will buy an item knowing its not what we needed or necessary, but we just had to have it. Then we try and justify by buying something for your spouse.

Wanting power without reason

wanting control so I can be at the center

Wanting wealth for myself ( Lottery)

Wanting glory, praise, and acceptance from others

Romans 8:5 says, for those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their mind on spiritual things

“A covetous attitude blocks all the flow of God’s fullness in our lives”

Covetousness is a strong desire to have that which belongs to another. It is considered to be a very grievous offense in Scripture. The tenth commandment forbids coveting anything that belongs to a neighbor, including his house, his wife, his servants, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to him (Exod. 20:17). Jesus listed covetousness or greed along with many of the sins from within, including adultery, theft, and murder, which make a person unclean (Mark 7:22). That idea is conveyed in the NT by a Greek word literally meaning “inordinate desire to have more.” The apostle Paul listed that kind of covetousness among earthly attitudes of which Christians are to rid themselves. “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col 3:5; cf. Eph 5:3; 1 Cor 6:10). Covetousness is pictured as a grave sin that leads to a variety of other sins. The love of money is “the root of all evils” (1 Tim 6:9, 10; cf. Prv 15:27). It was the sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:2, 3; cf. 1 Sm 15:9, 19; Mt 26:14, 15; 2 Pt 2:15; Jude 11). Jesus warned: “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Lk 12:15). Another Greek word translated “covet” in kjv is better translated “earnestly desire” in a positive sense (1 Cor 14:39).

When is enough enough. You say I don’t covet after other people’s stuff, then why do you hold your standards, disappointments off what man says you should and should not do?

Covetousness makes us the slaves of the devil.

John Calvin

2. Wanting the right thing for the wrong reasons (Verse 6)

Numbers 11:6 (NKJV)

but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”

The tone of the words “This Manna” is one of contempt/covetous ( an attitude that would peak years later in chapter 21:5). The foods of Egypt were plentiful and varied even for slaves and the poor. The provision of manna was regarded by the Israelites as monotonous, something that caused the inner to be dried up.

Monotonous means repetitious that lacks variety and interest.

How shortly we lose interest in something that has more meaning than we can imagine. It means they wanted the right things, but not for the right reason. When you are hungry you eat what is available, but we now have options. ( Tell the story of when you fasted for 7 days and how a hot dog tasted so good)

Take the role of a spiritual leader, I tim.3:1-7, that good to want that but make sure it’s for the right reasons, not for personal gain, power, or agenda

If you were to feel more interest in Christ you would be less interested in yourself.

Spiritual Depression, 88

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Being a preacher is great but wanting it for the right reason, not for the limelight and to hear people shout. (My wife would ask me why I wanted to become a preacher of a church.) I Pet.5:2

1 Peter 5:2 NKJV

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

3. Wanting the right things at the wrong time (Verse 16-23)

Numbers 11:16–23 (NKJV)

So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. Then you shall say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat; for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but for a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the Lord who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever come up out of Egypt?” ’ ”

And Moses said, “The people whom I am among are six hundred thousand men on foot; yet You have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough for them?”

And the Lord said to Moses, “Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”

In response to Moses’ complaint that he alone must deal with the people, Yahweh commands him to appoint 70 elders who will share the burden. He also gives Moses a message to relay to the people while he is in the midst of the tribes, a message of anger at their request for meat. After a portion of the spirit upon Moses is distributed among these 70, they prophesy once, so the people would know their authority came from God. This episode sets the stage for Miriam and Aaron’s complaint against Moses in Num 12. 11:16 Seventy is one of several numbers that is attributed a particular significance in the OT. For example, 70 is the number of nations Yahweh disowned at Babel and put under the authority of lesser gods (Gen 11:1–9; Deut 32:8–9; compare Deut 4:19–20). It is also the number of Jacob’s descendants who sojourned to Egypt during famine before they became numerous and were enslaved (Exod 1:5). Here, as elders, these 70 represent the fullness of “Yahweh’s portion”—His people (compare Deut 32:9). Leadership, Elders DOT: P The institution of the elders already existed (see Exod 3:16, 18; 4:29; 12:21; 24:9). This verse refers to a select 70 who will serve more closely with Moses. Sometimes the Tent of Meeting and the Tabernacle are two different structures, sometimes they are synonymous. Here, since the tent of the meeting is outside the camp (Num 11:26–30) and the tabernacle is in the middle of the camp (ch. 2), it is likely that we are looking at an early source that views the two structures as distinct.

Verse 16-The Lord tells Moses to gather 70 elders and God will put the spirit on them so that they can help carry the burden and Moses will not have to carry it all alone. Thank you, Lord, then in verse 18 God tells Moses to gather the people to let them know they will have meat not for a day not for a week, and versus 20 but for a whole month until it comes out of their nostrils and you loathe ( meaning you will feel intense dislike and disgust) because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you and have wailed before him, saying why did we ever leave Egypt? As always God gets to the heart of the matter this wasn’t about food and it wasn’t about a hardship you have rejected the Lord that was the heart that was the real issue.

Listen hardships are hard I get it. I am well acquainted, but if your life belongs to God, if you have committed yourself to follow God and he has committed to lead you then understand that every complaint and every grumble is against him and there is more than one way to respond to hard times complaining is not your only option and the danger is much greater than you imagine grumbling is playing with fire multiple times the New Testament warns us not to follow the example of these Israelites first Corinthians 10, Hebrews 4 just don’t do it the grumblers never get to enter God‘s rest.

Moses, on the other hand, misses the point he still thinks this whole thing is on him in verse 21. He basically says where am I Supposed to get enough meat for all those people Verse 23 the Lord answered Moses is the Lord's arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you that’s right I’s back on me Mozee it’s not on you and neither is your ministry and neither is mine. Jesus said to take his yoke it may be a big burden, but it’s his he carries it and his yoke is easy and his burden is light

The Lord did not want them to get comfortable because this was not their final destiny. Wanting comfort during the time when they are transitioning.

Young couple wanting to get married but wanting to sleep together now.

Buying something now because its cool and then opening the paper a few months later and it's 50% off.

Impulsive and covetous because you had to have it but at the wrong time.

Wanting a preacher requires timing and I know you believe you need a preacher but I believe there is a time and place for everything under the sun.

Numbers 11:21–23, the ideal of such plentiful meat in the wilderness was something even Moses barked at, wondering how even God could provide food for a company so large. God’s response to Moses “ Has the arm of the Lord been shortened? is a challenge to all people of faith. There is simply no limiting the power of God. Jesus' feedings of the multitudes are New Testament example of God’s continuing ability to provide food for thousands ( Matt. 14:13-21; 15:32-39).

In Matt 14 and 15 Jesus sees the Multitude and had compassion, not a concern, not stress or anxiety, yet He had compassion. Even as the crowd has grown over the past 3 days, He is yet to see that they will be able to provide for those people. The number that we can see in this text for the multitude is more than 5,000. So if that number continues to grow over the next 3 days it can be said that Jesus was ministering to over 15,000.00 people. 12 disciples and one messiah. How often do we shorten God's arm? How often do we struggle with our faith to think it just cannot be done? There is no way and yet God has delivered in the way He sees fit.

4. Wanting the right things but wanting them in the wrong amounts Numbers 11:24-30)

Numbers 11:24–30 NKJV

So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” And Moses returned to the camp, he and the elders of Israel.

VS. 25 “ The spirit rested upon them” ( Acts 2), is a divine empowerment of the 70 elders who would aid Moses in the administration of the camp. Verse 11:25–34 reasons that were not recorded Eldad and Medad did not join the other elders at the tabernacle of the meeting. Nonetheless, the spirit of God came upon them and empowered them in their own camp. When the word came to Moses that these men were prophesying, even though they were not Where they were supposed to be, Joshua was afraid that their possible influence in the community would detract from the authority of Moses. Here Joshua showed his loyalty to Moses by deferring to Moses, leadership, and authority.

Moses responded by wishing that all of Gods people were spirit-empowered verses 31–33. True to his promise, the Lord provided meet in the form of “quail from the sea”. He sent a strong wind that brought mass numbers of quail fluttering about 3 feet off the ground the people fell into a frenzy, killing the birds, and gathering them all through the night and onto the next day.

God comes through for Moses 70 elders are gathered and God delivers his spirit and God provides to meet Verse 31. Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It’s scattered them up to two cubits deep all around the camp as far as the days walk in any direction quail tasty little birdies as far as the eye can see and the Israelites gathered for two days straight, but it wasn’t enough and never is. If God's manna is not enough for you. Nothing will be, if Jesus does not satisfy you nothing will, it’s all chasing the wind. God‘s response is severe Verse 33, but while to meet with still between their teeth, and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people and He struck them with a severe plague, why, the plague, because the grumbling was the spark craving, what God has not provided, was kindling, and that Fire could destroy the entire camp.

(1 Timothy 5:8)

1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The children of Israel did not want enough for one day they wanted more than that.

Needing more money to survive.

Having to have the biggest and best when it’s not needed.

The hard reality is that a covetous attitude means I'm rejecting the sufficiency of God in my life.

James 4:1–3 (NKJV)

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

There are two sins which were Christ’s sorest enemies, covetousness and envy. Covetousness sold Christ and envy delivered him.

Thomas Manton

A preacher mentioned this story in his sermon in 2017, When I was in sixth grade, I went to Corona Elementary School in Bell. Our school had a cafeteria, but my mom couldn’t afford to have me buy lunch. So I brought a lunch from home and ate it every day. Every day I carried the same meal in my brown paper bag. Baloney sandwich on white bread, a small bag of potato chips, thermos bottle of soup Randy Shull sat to my right. He never brought a lunch box to school. At noon each day, he got to go to the school cafeteria and eat the best food a little boy could imagine. I never got to eat at a restaurant or cafeteria. Randy ate there every day. Each lunch period I looked at his meal. I watched in agony as Randy opened his mouth wide and spooned in the fresh, hot food. I listened to him smack each bite while I forced a baloney sandwich down my throat. Paul said, “I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’” I would not have known about coveting if it weren’t for Randy’s cafeteria meal. I memorized the Ten Commandments in grade school. I could say the tenth by heart: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17). With my head, I learned not to covet. But with my heart, I learned how to covet. I know that cafeterias weren’t mentioned in the off-limits list in the tenth commandment. I didn’t covet my neighbor’s house, wife, servants, ox, or donkey. But that last phrase did me in: “or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Yep, that includes cafeteria food. I coveted. And, I was jealous. And, I had to repent.