Friday, September 25 2009
Jeremiah 6
Verse Of The Day: V13 “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.”
What is covetousness? It is defined as a great and intense desire to acquire and amass material possessions. Covetousness or greed is the sin that was in the heart of man since the fall of mankind.
1. Covetousness is in Every Person
V13 “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; …”
The sin of covetousness is in every person including young children and old folks. Look around you. Children are crying for toys in the shopping centers. They are never satisfied and contented even when their rooms are filled with toys from floors to ceilings! Old folks are queuing up to buy lottery, thinking that this shall be their last chance to strike big, enjoy life with plenty of possessions and eventually die rich!
2. Covetousness is in Every Prophet and Priest
V13 “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.”
The sin of covetousness was also in the spiritual leaders, the prophets and the priests. The prophets who represented God in teaching the people to live godly and without covetousness were the ones who were ungodly and covetous. They required the people to offer them large sum of money or expensive gifts for their so-called service of God. Even the priests who represented the people before God to sacrifice the offerings in the temple of God for them were also the ones who kept large parts of the offerings for themselves and were ungodly and covetous.
3. Covetousness shall be Punished
V15 “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.”
The saddest truth was that the people themselves were not ashamed of their covetousness. They thought that life consisted of the abundance of possessions. They failed to realize that their possessions were transient and would one day vanish away and that God shall punish their sin of covetousness. The only thing that is of great gain and shall last forever is their relationship with God and to be contented with life!
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Prayer of the Week
Dearest God, please help me to be contented with You and the simple things of life.
