“Guard Against Every Sort of Covetousness”

“Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.”​—LUKE 12:15.

1, 2. (a) What have you observed about people’s interests and pursuits today? (b) How may we be affected by such attitudes?

MONEY, property, prestige, high-paying jobs, family​—these are among the things that most people look at as a gauge of success or as insurance for a secure future. It is evident that in lands rich and poor, many people’s interests and pursuits are focused on material gains and advancement. On the other hand, their interest in spiritual things​—if there is any—​is on a rapid decline.

² This is just as the Bible foretold. It says: “In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Living among such people day in and day out, true Christians are under constant pressure to conform to this kind of mentality and lifestyle. What can help us to resist the world’s efforts to ‘squeeze us into its own mould’?​—Romans 12:2, The New Testament in Modern English, by J. B. Phillips.

3. What counsel provided by Jesus will we consider now?

³ As “the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith,” Jesus Christ provided us with powerful lessons in this regard. (Hebrews 12:2) On one occasion when Jesus was speaking to the crowd on some spiritually enlightening matters, a man interrupted the discussion with a request: “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” In response, Jesus provided the man​—and all those listening—​with some serious counsel. He sounded a strong warning against covetousness and reinforced that warning with a thought-provoking illustration. We do well to take heed of what Jesus said on that occasion and see how we can benefit by applying it in our own life.​—Luke 12:13-21.

An Inappropriate Request

4. Why was the man’s interrupting Jesus inappropriate?

⁴ Prior to the man’s interruption, Jesus was speaking to his disciples and others about being on guard against hypocrisy, about having the courage to confess union with the Son of man, and about receiving help from the holy spirit. (Luke 12:1-12) Surely these are vital subjects that the disciples needed to take to heart. In the midst of such a soul-searching discourse, however, the man abruptly cut in and asked Jesus to arbitrate in what appeared to be a family squabble over material possessions. Yet, there is an important lesson that we can learn from this event.

5. What did the man’s request reveal about him?

⁵ It has been said that “the character of a man is often indicated by the direction which his thoughts take when he is listening to a religious exhortation.” While Jesus was speaking about serious spiritual matters, the man was probably thinking about what he could do to achieve certain financial advantages. Whether he had a legitimate cause for grievance in connection with the inheritance is not stated. Perhaps he was trying to capitalize on Jesus’ authority and reputation as a wise judge in human affairs. (Isaiah 11:3, 4; Matthew 22:16) In any case, his question suggested that deep down, there was a problem​—a serious lack of appreciation for spiritual matters. Is this not good reason for us to examine ourselves? At Christian meetings, for example, it is easy to allow our mind to wander or to dwell on what we might do later. Instead, we should pay attention to what is said and think of ways to make personal application of the information so that we can improve our relationship with our heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and with our fellow Christians.​—Psalm 22:22; Mark 4:24.

6. Why did Jesus decline to act as the man requested?

⁶ Whatever motivated the man to make the request, Jesus declined to act upon it. Instead, Jesus said to him: “Man, who appointed me judge or apportioner over you persons?” (Luke 12:14) In saying that, Jesus was referring to something that the people were well-aware of, for according to the Mosaic Law, judges in the cities were appointed to rule on just such matters. (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 21:15-17; Ruth 4:1, 2) Jesus, on the other hand, was concerned with more important things​—to bear witness to Kingdom truth and to teach people God’s will. (John 18:37) Following Jesus’ example, rather than being sidetracked by mundane issues, we use our time and energy to preach the good news and to “make disciples of people of all the nations.”​—Matthew 24:14; 28:19.

Beware of Covetousness

7. What penetrating observation did Jesus make?

⁷ Being able to discern the deepest intentions of the heart, Jesus was aware that something more serious was involved in the man’s request for Jesus to intervene in a personal matter. Thus, instead of simply turning down the request, Jesus got to the heart of the matter and said: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.”​—Luke 12:15.

8. What is covetousness, and what can it lead to?

⁸ Covetousness is more than simply the desire to have money or certain things, which could have their proper use and purpose. It is the “inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another’s possessions,” according to one dictionary. It can involve the insatiable, greedy urge to have things​—perhaps those belonging to someone else—​simply for the sake of having them, without regard for one’s own needs or the effect on others. A covetous person allows the object of his desire to dominate his thinking and actions to such an extent that it in essence becomes his god. Recall that the apostle Paul equates a greedy person with an idolater, who has no share in God’s Kingdom.​—Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5.

9. In what ways can covetousness be manifested? Give some examples.

⁹ Interestingly, Jesus warned against “every sort of covetousness.” Covetousness comes in many forms. The last of the Ten Commandments enumerated some of them, stating: “You must not desire your fellowman’s house. You must not desire your fellowman’s wife, nor his slave man nor his slave girl nor his bull nor his ass nor anything that belongs to your fellowman.” (Exodus 20:17) The Bible is replete with examples of individuals who have fallen into grievous sin on account of covetousness of one kind or another. Satan was the first to covet something that belonged to someone else​—the glory, honor, and authority that are Jehovah’s alone. (Revelation 4:11) Eve coveted the right of self-determination, and her being deceived in this regard started the human race down the road to sin and death. (Genesis 3:4-7) The demons were angels who became discontented with “their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place” for something to which they were not entitled. (Jude 6; Genesis 6:2) Think, too, of Balaam, Achan, Gehazi, and Judas. Instead of being content with their lot in life, they allowed an inordinate desire for material possessions to cause them to misuse their trust, plunging them into ruin and destruction.

10. How should we ‘keep our eyes open,’ as Jesus admonished?

¹⁰ How fitting that Jesus prefaced the warning against covetousness with the words “keep your eyes open”! Why? Because it is so easy for people to see that someone else is being greedy or covetous, but it is rare that they will acknowledge that they themselves are guilty of it. Yet, the apostle Paul points out that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) The disciple James explains that wrong desire, “when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin.” (James 1:15) In line with Jesus’ admonition, we should ‘keep our eyes open,’ not to observe others to see if they fit the description, but to examine ourselves to see what we have set our hearts on, so as to “guard against every sort of covetousness.”

A Life of Abundance

11, 12. (a) What warning did Jesus give against covetousness? (b) Why do we need to heed Jesus’ warning?

¹¹ There is yet another reason why we must guard against covetousness. Note what Jesus next said: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) This certainly is food for thought in our materialistic age, when people equate affluence and prosperity with happiness and success. By those words, Jesus was pointing out that a truly meaningful and satisfying life does not result from or depend on material possessions, no matter how abundant.

¹² Some, however, may disagree. They may reason that material possessions make life more comfortable and enjoyable, thus more worthwhile. Hence, they devote themselves to pursuits that would give them the ability to acquire all the goods and gadgets that they desire. This, they think, will result in a good life. But in so thinking, they miss the point Jesus was making.

13. What is a balanced view of life and possessions?

¹³ Instead of focusing on whether it is right or wrong to have an abundance, Jesus was making the point that a man’s life does not result from “the things he possesses,” that is, the things he already has. In this regard, we all know that to live, or to sustain the life we have, does not really require very much. It takes only a little food, something to wear, and a place to lie down. The rich have an abundance of these things, and the poor may have to struggle to obtain what they need. What difference there is, however, is equalized when life comes to its end​—everything comes to naught. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6) Thus, for life to have meaning and worth, it cannot and should not simply consist of things that one can acquire or possess. This thought becomes evident when we examine what life Jesus was speaking about.

14. What can we learn from the word for “life” found in the Bible account?

¹⁴ When Jesus said that “life does not result from the things he possesses,” the word used here for “life” in Luke’s Gospel (Greek, zo·eʹ) refers, not to the manner or style of living, but to life itself, life in the absolute sense.a Jesus was saying that whether we are rich or poor, whether we live in luxury or we barely eke out an existence, we do not have complete control over how long we may live or whether we will even be alive tomorrow. Jesus stated in his Sermon on the Mount: “Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?” (Matthew 6:27) The Bible clearly shows that Jehovah alone is “the source of life,” and only he can grant faithful ones “the real life,” or “everlasting life,” life without end, either in heaven or on earth.​—Psalm 36:9; 1 Timothy 6:12, 19.

15. Why do many put their trust in material possessions?

¹⁵ Jesus’ words point out how easy it is for people to have a warped or distorted view of life. Whether rich or poor, all humans are imperfect and have but one eventuality. Moses of old observed: “In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are eighty years, yet their insistence is on trouble and hurtful things; for it must quickly pass by, and away we fly.” (Psalm 90:10; Job 14:1, 2; 1 Peter 1:24) For this reason, people who have not cultivated a good relationship with God often adopt the “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die” mentality, referred to by the apostle Paul. (1 Corinthians 15:32) Others, sensing that life is fleeting and uncertain, try to find security and permanence in material possessions. Perhaps they feel that having many physical, tangible material things will somehow make life more secure. Thus, they labor incessantly to amass wealth and possessions, mistakenly equating such things with security and happiness.​—Psalm 49:6, 11, 12.

A Secure Future

16. On what is true worth in life not based?

¹⁶ It may be true that a higher living standard​—having an abundance of food, clothing, shelter, and other amenities—​could contribute to a more comfortable life or may even allow for better medical care and thus add a few years to a person’s life span. However, is such a life really more meaningful and more secure? True worth in life is not measured in the number of years one might live or the amount of material things one might possess or enjoy. The apostle Paul pointed to the danger of putting too much stock in such things. To Timothy he wrote: “Give orders to those who are rich in the present system of things not to be high-minded, and to rest their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who furnishes us all things richly for our enjoyment.”​—1 Timothy 6:17.

17, 18. (a) What outstanding examples with regard to material possessions are worthy of our imitation? (b) What parable of Jesus will be considered in the following article?

¹⁷ To rest one’s hope on riches is unwise because they are “uncertain.” The patriarch Job was very well-off, but when disaster struck suddenly, his riches could not help him; they vanished overnight. It was his solid relationship with God that preserved him through all the trials and tribulations. (Job 1:1, 3, 20-22) Abraham did not allow his abundant material possessions to prevent him from accepting a challenging assignment from Jehovah, and he was blessed with becoming the “father of a crowd of nations.” (Genesis 12:1, 4; 17:4-6) These and other examples are worthy of our imitation. Young or old, we need to examine ourselves to see what is truly important in our life and on what we rest our hope.​—Ephesians 5:10; Philippians 1:10.

¹⁸ The few words that Jesus spoke on covetousness and the proper view of life are meaningful and instructive indeed. However, Jesus had something further in mind, and he went on to relate a thought-provoking parable, or illustration, about an unreasonable rich man. How is that illustration pertinent to our life today, and what can we learn from it? The next article will provide the answers.

[Footnote]

Are You “Rich Toward God”?

“So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”​—LUKE 12:21.

1, 2. (a) For what have people been willing to make great sacrifices? (b) What challenge and danger must Christians face?

TREASURE HUNTING is not just a game that children like to play; it is also a real-life drama played out again and again in many ages and societies. For example, the gold rush of the 19th century in Australia, South Africa, Canada, and the United States attracted people from far away who were willing to leave home and loved ones to seek fortunes in strange, sometimes hostile, lands. Yes, many people are willing to take extreme risks and make enormous sacrifices in order to attain the riches that their hearts desire.

² Though most people today are not taking part in a literal treasure hunt, they do have to work hard to make a living. To do that in the present system of things can be challenging, demanding, and burdensome. It is easy to become so concerned with food, clothing, and shelter that the more important things are neglected or even forgotten. (Romans 14:17) Jesus gave an illustration, or parable, that accurately delineated this human tendency. It is found at Luke 12:16-21.

3. Briefly relate Jesus’ illustration recorded at Luke 12:16-21.

³ Jesus’ illustration was given on the same occasion that he spoke about the need to guard against covetousness, which we examined in some detail in the preceding article. After warning about covetousness, Jesus spoke about a rich man who is not content with storehouses filled with good things he already has but who tears them down and builds bigger ones in order to lay up more good things. Just as he thinks he is ready to relax and enjoy a good life, God tells him that his life is coming to an end and all the good things the man has stored up will go to someone else. Then Jesus added the concluding statement: “So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21) What lesson can we learn from this parable? How can we apply the lesson to our own life?

A Man With a Problem

4. What kind of man could we say was portrayed in Jesus’ parable?

⁴ The illustration that Jesus gave is a familiar one. We note that Jesus introduced the story simply by saying: “The land of a certain rich man produced well.” Jesus did not say that the man acquired his riches by some devious or unlawful means. In other words, he was not portrayed as a bad man. In fact, from what Jesus said, it is reasonable to think that the man portrayed in the parable had worked hard. At least it can be understood that he was a man who planned and saved for the future, perhaps with the welfare of his family in mind. Thus, from a secular point of view, he can be taken to represent a hardworking man who took his obligations seriously.

5. What problem confronts the man in Jesus’ parable?

⁵ In any case, Jesus did call the individual in the parable a rich man, meaning someone who already had in his possession an abundance of material goods. However, as Jesus described it, the rich man had a problem. His land produced much more than he expected, above and beyond what he needed or could care for. What should he have done?

6. What choices do many of God’s servants face today?

⁶ Many of Jehovah’s servants today face situations very much like that of the rich man. True Christians strive to be honest, diligent, and conscientious workers. (Colossians 3:22, 23) Whether they are employed or they have their own business, they often do well, even excel in what they do. When promotions or new opportunities come along, they are confronted with a decision. Should they move up or expand? Likewise, many Witness youths do well in school. As a result, they may be offered awards or scholarships for advanced education at prestigious institutions. Should they simply go along and accept what is offered?

7. How did the man in Jesus’ parable deal with his problem?

⁷ Coming back to Jesus’ illustration, what did the rich man do when his land produced so well that he had nowhere to store his harvest? He decided to tear down the storehouses that he had and build bigger ones to store all the excess grain and good things. That plan apparently gave him such a sense of security and satisfaction that he thought to himself: “I will say to my soul: ‘Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.’”​—Luke 12:19.

Why “Unreasonable”?

8. What vital element did the man in Jesus’ parable overlook?

⁸ As Jesus presented it, however, the rich man’s plan provided only a false sense of security. Practical as it might have seemed, it left out one vital element​—God’s will. The man was only thinking about himself, how he would be able to take his ease and eat, drink, and enjoy himself. He thought that because of having “many good things,” he would also have “many years.” But too bad for him, things did not work out that way. Just as Jesus said earlier, “even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) That very night, everything the man had worked for came to an abrupt end, for God said to him: “Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your soul from you. Who, then, is to have the things you stored up?”​—Luke 12:20.

9. Why was the man in the parable called unreasonable?

⁹ Here, we come to the central point of Jesus’ illustration. God called the man unreasonable. The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament explains that forms of the Greek word used “always signify a lack of understanding.” It observes that in this parable, God is represented as using the word to expose “the meaninglessness of the future plans of the rich.” The word refers, not to one who lacks intelligence, but to “one who refuses to acknowledge dependence on God.” Jesus’ description of the rich man brings to mind what he later said to the Christians in the first-century congregation in Laodicea, Asia Minor: “You say: ‘I am rich and have acquired riches and do not need anything at all,’ but you do not know you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked.”​—Revelation 3:17.

10. Why is the possession of “many good things” no guarantee of having “many years”?

¹⁰ We do well to take the lesson to heart. Could we be like the man in the parable​—work very hard to make sure that we would have “many good things” yet fail to do what is necessary to gain the prospect of having “many years”? (John 3:16; 17:3) The Bible says: “Valuable things will be of no benefit on the day of fury,” and “the one trusting in his riches​—he himself will fall.” (Proverbs 11:4, 28) Therefore, Jesus added this final admonition to the parable: “So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”​—Luke 12:21.

11. Why is it futile to build one’s hope and security on material possessions?

¹¹ When Jesus said “so it goes,” he was pointing out that what happened to the rich man in the illustration will also happen to those who build their life​—their hope and their security—​solely on material possessions. The fault is not so much in ‘laying up treasure for oneself’ as it is in failing to be “rich toward God.” The disciple James sounded a similar warning when he wrote: “Come, now, you who say: ‘Today or tomorrow we will journey to this city and will spend a year there, and we will engage in business and make profits,’ whereas you do not know what your life will be tomorrow.” What should they do? “Instead, you ought to say: ‘If Jehovah wills, we shall live and also do this or that.’” (James 4:13-15) No matter how rich a person may be or how many possessions he may have, all will prove to be futile unless he is rich toward God. What, then, does it mean to be rich toward God?

To Be Rich Toward God

12. Doing what will make us rich toward God?

¹² In Jesus’ statement, being rich toward God is set in contrast with laying up material treasures for oneself, or enriching oneself materially. Thus, Jesus was saying that our main concern in life should not be the accumulation of material riches or the enjoyment of what we may possess. Instead, we should use our resources in such a way as to enrich, or build up, our relationship with Jehovah. Doing so will surely make us rich toward God. Why? Because it opens the door to many blessings from him. The Bible tells us: “The blessing of Jehovah​—that is what makes rich, and he adds no pain with it.”​—Proverbs 10:22.

13. How does Jehovah’s blessing ‘make rich’?

¹³ When Jehovah bestows blessings on his people, he always gives them the best. (James 1:17) For example, when Jehovah gave the Israelites a home, it was “a land flowing with milk and honey.” Although the land of Egypt had also been described that way, the land that Jehovah gave the Israelites was different in at least one vital respect. It was “a land that Jehovah your God is caring for,” Moses told the Israelites. In other words, they would prosper because Jehovah would be looking after them. As long as the Israelites remained faithful to Jehovah, they were richly blessed by him and enjoyed a way of life that was visibly superior to that of all the nations round about. Yes, it is Jehovah’s blessing that “makes rich”!​—Numbers 16:13; Deuteronomy 4:5-8; 11:8-15.

14. What do those who are rich toward God enjoy?

¹⁴ The expression “rich toward God” is also rendered “rich in God’s sight” (Today’s English Version) or “rich in the eyes of God.” (The New Testament in Modern English, by J. B. Phillips) Those who are rich materially are generally concerned with how they might appear in the eyes of others. This is often reflected in their way of life. They want to impress people with what the Bible calls “the showy display of one’s means of life.” (1 John 2:16) In contrast, those who are rich toward God enjoy God’s approval, favor, and undeserved kindness in abundance and have a warm personal relationship with him. Being in such a precious state surely gives them a sense of well-being and security, more than any material riches can provide. (Isaiah 40:11) The question that remains is, What must we do in order to be rich in God’s eyes?

Rich in God’s Eyes

15. What must we do in order to be rich toward God?

¹⁵ In Jesus’ illustration, the man planned and worked hard only to enrich himself, and he was called unreasonable. To be rich toward God, therefore, we must endeavor to work hard and have a full share in the activities that are truly valuable and worthwhile in God’s eyes. Among these is what Jesus commanded: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:19) Using our time, energy, and talents, not for self-advancement, but in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work can be likened to making an investment. Those who have done so have reaped rich dividends spiritually, as shown by the following experiences.​—Proverbs 19:17.

16, 17. What experiences can you relate to show the way of life that makes one rich in God’s eyes?

¹⁶ Consider the case of a Christian man in a country in the Orient. He had a well-paying job as a computer technician. However, his work occupied practically all his time and left him feeling spiritually impoverished. Finally, instead of trying to get ahead in his job, he quit and took up making ice cream and selling it on the street so that he would have more time to care for his spiritual needs and responsibilities. Former workmates made fun of him, but how did things turn out? “Actually, I was better off financially than when I worked with computers,” he said. “It has made me happier because I do not have the stress and worry that I had with my former job. And most important, I now feel closer to Jehovah.” The change enabled this Christian to enter the full-time ministry, and he is now serving at the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in his country. Jehovah’s blessing indeed “makes rich.”

¹⁷ Another example is that of a woman who grew up in a family in which education was highly valued. She attended universities in France, Mexico, and Switzerland and was headed for a promising career. “Success smiled upon me; prestige and privilege accompanied me,” she said, “but on the inside, there was a void, a deep dissatisfaction.” Then she learned about Jehovah. She said: “As I progressed spiritually, my desire to please Jehovah and to return a little of what he had given me helped me to see clearly the road to take​—serve him full-time.” She resigned from her position and was soon baptized. For the past 20 years, she has happily served in the full-time ministry. “Some think that I have wasted my talents,” she relates, “but they recognize that I am happy, and they admire the principles by which I live my life. Every day I pray to Jehovah to help me to be humble so as to have his approval.”

18. Like Paul, how can we be rich toward God?

¹⁸ Saul, who became the apostle Paul, had a promising career ahead of him. Yet, he later wrote: “I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:7, 8) To Paul, the riches he gained through Christ excelled anything that the world could offer. Likewise, by relinquishing any selfish ambitions and pursuing a life of godly devotion, we too can enjoy a life that is rich in God’s eyes. God’s Word assures us: “The result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and glory and life.”​—Proverbs 22:4.