Covetousness an American Pandemic

From early February 2020 the the world has been dealing with the pandemic of Covid - 19 virus

pandemic - disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent of the whole word

Countries that have brought it under control New Zealand/Germany (both women)

though brought under control in some countries the U.S. is dealing with the epidimic of the Covid - 19 virus.

epidimic - disease affecting many persons at the same time, and spreading from person to person in a locality where the disease is not permanently prevalent. (contagious/catching)

The U.S. is not only dealing with the Covid - 19 virus but also a virus of covetousness - inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth of possessions; greedy.

avaricious - a person is very greedy for money or possesions.

Prospering in a pandemic (Mid March-May)

billionaires - 434; Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Warren Buffet and Larry Ellison (76b)

Amazon - Jeff Bezor - 34

Facebook- Mark Zuckerberg - 25

When the leadership of a nation has more concern about the economy, stock market, going back to work/school while the #’s are increasing Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. Ex 20:17 Thou shalt not covet

Covetousness an American pandemic: Luke 12:13-21

Morris Leon Comentary - An interruption from the crowd dealing with material possesions (brothers)

His brother was in possession; asks for a decision in his own favour; approached without his brother. Rabbis customarily gave decision on disputed points of law.

Jesus came to bring people to God, not property to people

4. Warning with a principle

Parable: of the Rich fool

fool - warning Mt 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Riches - 1 Tim 6:9-10 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lists, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen , and fed sumptuouisly every day: And there was a beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores...

The desire to get the economy fully open has caused the U.S. to lack empathy, and compassion and thereforew we must forfit back to God our ”Good Samariton” credit card. Also we have lacked the ablilty to love our neighbor as thyself and have let healthcare and a living wage become merely bywords for the less fortunate.

This has caused a serious problem for a lack of compassion and empathy and spiritual blindness.

5. Problems of the rich:

Strength to Love - King

Jesus called the rich man a fool because he failed to realize his dependence on God. He talked as though he unfolded the seasons and provided the fertility of the soil, controlled the rising and the setting of the sun, and regulated the natural process that produce the rain and the dew. He had an unconscious feeling that he was the Creation, not a creature.

control of the seasons, soil, sun and rain is up to God. Ps 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof: the world, and they that dwell therein

Three problems in the text:

1. Like - Me, myself and I - 56 words 12x “I and my” vs we and our.

2. Labor - I will pull down/build greater/I bestow

3. Life - James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.