Lessons from a Fool

Lessons of a Fool, or

Where do we see Covetousness?

Luke 12:16-21

In our lives

Theft

Eastern mindset – Anything abandoned and desirable is yours – “finders keepers, losers weepers”

This is why God specifies coveting even AFTER the command to refrain from stealing.

Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Exodus 34:23–24 “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel. For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.

Domestic problems

Proverbs 15:27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.

All kinds of evil

1 Timothy 6:9–10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In religion

Most of our problems come from coveting the approval of men rather than God.

Mark 14:1–2 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

While they SHOULD be focused on this important feast to the Lord (as Jesus and His disciples are), they focus primarily on the will of the people.

Acts 5:1-11 – What were Ananias and Sapphira focused upon?

Who are the Pharisees of today?

Worship

If we covet the approval of men, our worship will not be about God, but about US.

Churches = social centers

Coffee shops, vending machines, etc.?

Recognizing worldly holidays and birthdays?

A spectacle rather than a collective effort

Rock concert atmosphere

“Mood” music and light effects

Building a physical “temple” rather than allowing God to live in the temple of our hearts

Hundreds of thousands of dollars on a building – for what?

Work

If we covet the approval of men, we will work on fixing the world rather than allowing God to fix US.

“Self-help”, counseling pushed as THE purpose of the Church.

Focus becomes secular.

Focus on “ministries”

Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

A church listing their “ministries” on their website has already broken Jesus’ command.

Benevolence

If we covet approval of men, we will help anyone and everyone with the “stuff” that belongs to the LORD.

Acts 5:4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Positive reinforcement: Things TO covet

Generally, the righteous desire GOOD things.

Psalm 19:7–11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Isaiah 26:8 Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; The desire of our soul is for Your name And for the remembrance of You.

Matthew 6:19–21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 13:17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Time with those of like precious faith

Luke 22:15–16 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

Philippians 1:23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

1 Thessalonians 2:17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

2 John 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

Fulfillment of basic needs

Spiritual, mental, and material well-being

We have needs to be met.

1 Kings 19 - God provided for Elijah in a time of deep distress

Provided food and drink

Provided rest

Provided work

State of mind suffers when our needs are not met.

Person who denies themselves food to a point of suffering (starvation, bulimia, etc.)

Person who denies themselves affection or attention

Person who denies themselves time with the Lord. One on one

Person who spends all their time doing for others

Denying ourselves these needs leads to severe problems that primarily interfere with our faith.

Deuteronomy 14:26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.

Tithing under the Old Law. They were given leave to fulfill their desires in this aspect.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Luke 16:20–21 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Usefulness in Christ’s Kingdom

Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

Hebrews 6:10–12 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 11:24–26 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.