Covetousness, Conduct, and Contentment

Hebrews 13:5-6 (New King James Version) states,

[Let your] conduct [be] without covetousness;
[be] content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said,
"I will never leave you nor forsake you."
So we may boldly say:
"The LORD [is] my helper;
I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

During this Christmas season, many are giving and receiving gifts. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that practice. It is good to share what we have with others. However, during these times I think there is also a danger to allow covetousness to creep in.

Covetousness is not a word that is commonly used in modern English. So, many modern Bible translations simply translate the term as "the love of money." It is a good translation of the word. However, if we look more closely at the implications of covetousness, I think it extends beyond simply "loving money" (which few would admit to) to "loving possessions" (which is easier to do).

Jesus said,

“Take heed and beware of covetousness,
for one’s life does not consist
in the abundance of the things he possesses."
(Luke 12:15b NKJV)

The Apostle Paul told a group of believers,

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace,
which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance
among all those who are sanctified.
I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.You yourselves know that these hands ministered
to my own needs and to the men who were with me."
(Acts 20:32-34 NASB)

If coveting is limited to money, then how could the Apostle Paul say that he coveted no one's clothes? Why did Jesus refer to the things [one] possesses rather than just money?

It's not much of a stretch to say that people love money not because they like its texture or appearance, but because they like the power and security provided by the things money can buy. Hence, to love one's material possessions, and to desire more of them, is to covet.

The Apostle Paul wrote to believers,

Do you not know that
the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous,
nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit
the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you.
But you were washed, but you were sanctified,
but you were justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus
and by the Spirit of our God.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV)

I realize that I myself am guilty of coveting, as well as of other sins on this list. But this passage gives me hope, because I know that I trust Jesus to save me. I (and you, if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God) might have been covetous - "such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

And so my aim in life is no longer to seek security and power through the things I possess; it is to please my Lord Jesus Christ, who is my life. I'm not perfect, but that's why I need the blood of Christ to wash me, the Spirit of our God to sanctify me, and God the Father's justification. Instead of getting depressed and thinking that there is no way to escape the bonds of sin, we believers should allow the Word of God to renew our minds.

Firstly, consider these words written by the Apostle John:

Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world—
the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life—
is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God abides forever.

(1 John 2:15-17 NKJV)

Finally, if you will, meditate on this passage from the letter to the Colossians:

If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
For you died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, our life, appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Therefore put to death your members
which are on the earth:
fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire,
and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Because of these things the wrath of God is coming
upon the sons of disobedience,
in which you yourselves once walked
when you lived in them.

But now you yourselves are to put off all these:
anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy language out of your mouth.
Do not lie to one another,
since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
and have put on the new [man]
who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who created him,
where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,
slave [nor] free, but Christ is all and in all.

Therefore, as elect of God, holy and beloved,
put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,
if anyone has a complaint against another;
even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

But above all these things put on love,
which is the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And [whatever] you do in word or deed,
all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

(Colossians 3:1-17 NKJV)

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All boldface emphases are mine.
Italicized words in the translated texts have been [bracketed] or simply omitted.
Some punctuation and Capitalization may have been changed.