Pride, Selfishness, and Covetousness

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Bible Examples of the Covetous

 

What showed this principle to have been strong in the rich man who already had abundance?

 

“Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grains and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ Luke 12:18,19.

 

What did God say to him?

 

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” Verse 20.  

 

What application of this parable did the Savior make?

 

“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Verse 21.

Of what sin were the Pharisees guilty?

 

“The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all of this and were sneering at Jesus.

Luke 16:14.

 

What reply did Christ make?

 

 He said unto them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

Verse 15.

 

What did this sin lead Achan to do?

 

“When I saw the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighting fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with silver underneath.” Joshua 7:21.

 

What did covetousness lead Judas to do?

 

“Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.” Mark 14:10,11.

 

How does the Lord regard the covetous?

 

“He boast of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord.”

Psalm 10:3.

 

False and True Ideas of Wealth

 

What parable did Christ give to correct the false idea of the Pharisees that wealth was a sign of special favor with God?

 

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31.)

 

What did He point out as one of the dangers of possession of wealth?

 

“Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich man to enter the kingdom of God!”The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! Mark 10:23,24.

 

As a rule, what class generally accepts the gospel?

 

“Listen my dear brother: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom promised those who love him?” James 2:5.

How difficult did Christ say it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?

 

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:25.

 

Why was the rich young man desiring salvation unwilling to sell what he had and give alms, as Christ told him to do?

 

“When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

Matthew 19:22.

 

What is the love of money declared to be?

 

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.”

1 Timothy 6:10.

 

What evils befall those who are determined to be rich?

 

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” Verse 9.

 

Who gives man the power to get wealth?

 

“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives the ability to produce wealth.”

Deuteronomy 8:18. 

 

How many all, rich and poor, honor God?

 

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” Proverbs 3:9.

 

What caution is given concerning riches?

 

“Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” Psalm 62:10.

 

Can riches be retained to men’s hurt?

 

“I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner.”

Ecclesiastes 5:13.

 

What charge is given to the rich?

 

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this sway they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19.   

 

What makes rich without adding sorrow?

 

“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.” Proverbs 10:22.

 

How are true riches obtained?

 

“Humility and fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4.

 

How did Moses esteem the reproach of Christ?

 

“He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Hebrews 11:26.

 

What are the two classes of rich men are mentioned in the Bible?

 

“One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.” Proverbs 13:7.

 

Note – In Luke 12:16-20 is an example of the first class; in Acts 4:34-37 are examples of the second.

 

Man’s Last Golden Opportunity

 

Why are the last days to be perilous?

 

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” 2 Timothy 3:1,2.

 

What solemn warning is addressed to the rich who, in the last days, have heaped up treasure and oppressed the poor?

 

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you have failed to pay the workman who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourself in the day of slaughter. James 5:1-5. 

 

Will silver or gold be able to deliver in the day of wrath?

 

“Neither their silver or gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth.” Zephaniah 1:18. (See also Proverbs 11:4.)

 

What will the rich men do with their money then?

 

“They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin.”

Ezekiel 7:19.

 

As stewards of God’s gifts, what are we told to do?

 

“I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Luke 16:9.  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.   

 

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