“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
The Treasure
Jesus states a plain, direct claim here: life itself, its actual substance and meaning, does not consist in abundance of possessions. This is not a minor caveat about wealth’s limitations, but a direct correction of an assumption that quietly, persistently equates a good life with an abundant one, more possessions somehow constituting more actual life.
Notice take heed, and beware, urgent language suggesting covetousness is a genuine, active danger, not a rare temptation only the especially greedy need worry about. This warning is given generally, to a broad audience, assuming covetousness is a common, ordinary risk worth active vigilance, not merely a distant concern for extreme cases.
This is worth examining against however much your own sense of a good, meaningful life has quietly become entangled with the abundance of things possessed, more security, more comfort, more accumulated resources somehow equated with more actual life, contrary to what Jesus states directly here.
Consider today whether your own pursuit of a good life has been quietly measured by abundance of possessions rather than by whatever this verse suggests life’s actual substance genuinely consists in instead. Take heed, and beware, today, of covetousness quietly reshaping what you believe life is actually for.
Steward the Treasure
- Notice whether your sense of a good life has become entangled with abundance of possessions.
- Take heed today, specifically, against one area where covetousness has quietly crept in.
- Consider what life actually consists in, according to this verse, beyond mere abundance.
Prayer
Lord, let me take heed and beware of covetousness. Let my life consist in you, not in the abundance of things possessed, however much that abundance quietly tempts me. Amen.
Carry this today
Life does not consist in abundance of possessions.