The world in 2022 continues to be in a crisis, and unfortunately, more will die from the viruses and sicknesses that plague us. Understand I'm not referring to viruses like Influenza A or Corona-19 that continue to kill, but the spiritual virus of "Covetousness." It's a killer that infects Christians daily, and it's an epidemic that leads to the following Wonderfully Weird Command: "Beware of Covetousness."
Jesus said, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consist not in the abundance of things which he possesses (Luke 12:15 [KJV])." What is covetousness? Covetousness is desiring something or someone else that belongs to another person; it's more than just a simple craving, but a deep desire to have something or someone that is not yours to have. It is the original sin known as envy. It's a needless desire for fame, status, power, or wealth rather than a longing for God's Beauty, Unity, Truth, and Goodness in life. Covetousness also goes by the name of materialism, which has poisoned legions of souls in the Christian faith and killed multiple people throughout history. Other words related to covetousness are greed, stinginess, selfishness, cheapness, hoarding, money-grubbing, and wickedness, to name just a few. Covetousness is toxic, and all Christians ought to beware of its deadly consequences!
God never intended for us to suffer the effects of covetousness. He created a world where we are to live harmoniously with him and others. We see this in God's relationship with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, working and relating well together. Unfortunately, this perfect state was not to be. Like practical viruses that enter the world, covetousness entered the world through bad choices by people. The fall happened, and the virus has been running rampant ever since. Coveting is at the heart of bad decisions from eating from the forbidden tree. It is the initial mistake of humanity and the reason for our sinful nature.
How do you know if the sickness of covetousness is poisoning your soul? The symptoms are many; not rejoicing or being satisfied with life is a big one. Another is desiring material things over good solid relationships with God and others. Additionally, your prayer life reflects self-centered wants and desires based on wrong motives. The Bible says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures (James 4:3)."
What is the antidote to the illness of covetousness? It's a shot of Jesus's teachings that say there is a different way to live other than giving in to the sin of envy. The Wonderfully Weird Commands of Christ is what builds our spiritual immune system to fight off the deadly virus of covetousness and pumps gratitude and thankfulness through our body, and focuses our hearts in the right place. The choice is yours, continue to live in the illness of covetousness or choose to intake Jesus's commands to cure the most contagious disease ever, the sickness of covetousness. As Jesus shared, "Beware of Covetousness!"