COVETOUSNESS

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.' (I Cor. 5:11-13)
A sin that is prominent in the Church is covetousness. We have no trouble recognizing those who are sexually immoral or drunkards but many have been duped by this sin of covetousness. We need to recognize its presence in the Church and put it away from us.
Covetous simply means “marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions.” (According to Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary).
We are told in Ephesians 5:3 that God doesn't want covetousness to be named even once among us. The Bible also states that no covetous man will have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Covetousness is a dangerous sin. We are so easily tempted by it in the United States of America because we have so much material abundance. It is pleasing, comfortable, and enjoyable to be able to have all these things at our fingertips. At a moment's notice, with the use of a credit card, we can buy most anything. We can have a luxurious car, a beautiful home, new furniture, gorgeous clothing, and all of this in abundance. God doesn’t want any of His Church to be covetous or greedy for gain - for we are not of this world. We are in this world but we are not to be of the world. Our ways are not to be those of the world. They are to be God's ways, for that is what pleases Him.
Yet there is a false gospel being preached that is based upon covetousness. It says that godliness is a means to prosperity. Much of the Church is preaching this gospel, teaching that being godly will yield financial success and riches. But the scriptures clearly teach that we cannot serve God and mammon (money). This gospel, which is contrary to the scriptures, needs to be exposed as false. As I Timothy 6:9,10 states,
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:3-5 states,
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. (NIV) From such withdraw yourself. (NKJV)
This false gospel is one we need to withdraw ourselves from. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (Eph. 5:11)
Those who promote what is commonly called the prosperity, health/wealth gospel or the word of faith movement think that godliness is a means to financial gain. As noted previously, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (I Tim. 6:10) Those in this false gospel state that they don't love money. They just want money or material items so that they can help make others rich. They sow their seed (of money) into the offering plate to reap back possibly a hundredfold. This is not Biblical. This is very wicked.
The basis for their thinking is Mark 10:30 which says, “Who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time…” This scripture has nothing to do with giving or money. It has to do with those who leave “house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My [Jesus'] sake and the gospel's.” (v. 29) Along with this hundredfold they are also promised persecutions and eternal life in this scripture passage. (I strongly recommend an article written by Danny Lehmann called “Rich Religion: The Hundredfold Heresy”; see endnote to obtain this article.)
Some will state that God promised Abraham that we would be materially prosperous, and they quote from Galatians 3 and 4. However, when you read Galatians 3:14 it is clear that this promise is the promise of the Holy Spirit, not material prosperity.
The following scripture is quite often taken out of context as well. “Give and it will be given to you.” Its passage is dealing with somebody who is evil towards someone else. We are to respond by loving our enemies, doing good to those who hate us, blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who mistreat us. If someone strikes on one cheek, turn to him the other, also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to anyone who asks you and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. This passage continues talking about loving our enemies and then in the same context, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Lk. 6:38 NIV in context with Lk. 6:27-38) It does not refer to money anywhere in this passage.
Instead of promoting material prosperity, the Bible teaches,
Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (I Tim. 6:6-10 NIV)
“…flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” (I Tim. 6:11 NIV)
It is very clear, that seeking after or being eager for money, causes people to wander from the faith and pierce themselves with grief. However, we have something far better to pursue - righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. These things are eternal. Money isn't.
We need to be reminded that, “…It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:23 NIV) We are also instructed to “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with 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 way 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.” (I Tim. 6:17-19 NIV) Some of us may not be rich now but will be. Remember this: “…Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” (Ps. 62:10 NIV) Even Jesus states, “It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 19:23b NIV) The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy about men of corrupt mind who think godliness is a means to financial gain. (I Tim. 6:3ff NIV) Yet Paul goes on to say, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” This is what is truly great gain, not the financial gain.
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 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.
We are not to pursue money but we are to purse righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. We are to flee from the concept of thinking godliness is a means to financial gain. Now I am not saying that the Church should not be wise stewards as to how they handle their finances. I believe God has raised up men and women who have an understanding of economics and how we can better manage our money. I'm not talking stewardship. I'm talking to those who think, “If you give to the kingdom, you will get back financial reward,” particularly those who state that we will receive 100 times as much. But when you read what Jesus said in Matthew 19,28,29 NIV, we see the context. Jesus said, “…At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne,” or “now at this time” according to Mark 10:30, those who have followed Him who have left everything, their families, their lands, their houses, will receive 100 times as much. (We also get things in this age, too.)
Sowing and Reaping
Some in the Church teach about a seed concept, taken from Mark 4, and apply it to money and giving. But the seed is the word of God. This is not to be taken out of context and applied to material gain. However, in 2 Cor. 9:6 NIV there is a sowing and reaping context related to finances. While discussing financial giving, Paul states, “…Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” The same passage continues with,
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. (2 Cor. 9:10-12 NIV)
There is an emphasis here, concerning enlarging the harvest of righteousness and giving thanks to God. This is often neglected. God is praised because of our generosity and our giving. Giving is not a matter of “give to get”, or to “give money to get money”.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:11-13 NIV)
In fact, there is a sowing and reaping described in the Bible that fits this materialistic prosperity gospel.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Gal. 6:7,8)
Those in this gospel who continue to sow to their fleshly desires for prosperity and wealth will reap corruption. God promises this. Proverbs 1:19 tells us that those who are greedy for gain lose their lives. On the contrary, Proverbs is encouraging and says, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Prov. 3:13-15 NIV) The Lord wants us to "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Prov. 8:10,11 NIV)
Ministers of this False Gospel need to Repent
There are many ministers, many shepherds of God's people, who have been teaching false doctrines related to this. They have been leading people to think that godliness is a means to financial gain. This is not what God wants. These people need to repent of this. Many leaders of the word of faith movement have been promoting this error. For example, in Kenneth Hagin's book, The Laws of Prosperity he asks, “Do you want a hundredfold return on your money?” “Give and let God multiply it back to you.” In encouraging his readers to give financial support to teaching ministries, he writes, “Invest heavily in God; the returns are staggering, 100 to 1!” And again, “Every man who invests in the gospel has a right to expect the staggering return of one hundredfold.” The people who preach this way need to repent! Those of us who are part of the word of faith or prosperity movement need to withdraw yourselves from those that preach and teach that gain is godliness. We need to speak the truth to those we know and then withdraw ourselves. God wants us to flee from covetousness. God does not want it named once among His people!
Hebrews 12:1 NIV says,
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus….
Church, we need to make sure that we are not entangled by the sin of covetousness. “Watch out! Be on your guard for all kinds of greed [all covetousness]; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Lk. 12:15 NIV) God richly gives us things for our enjoyment but we are to be stewards, givers of the things that He has given us. God wants us, and commands us, to share what He has given us. Let us do this freely, as if these things are not our own, but as only borrowed, a precious, small token gift that the Lord has given us on this earth, of temporal value. Let us share. For when we share these things, then what was of temporal value has eternal value because we will be giving out of love. We will be giving because we want to please somebody else and we will please the Lord.
If you Love the World you don't Love God
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of God is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has or does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (I Jn. 2:15-17 NIV)
Church, you cannot love the world and have the love of God in you. If you are Christian and caught up in the message that says God will prosper you, you love the world. Even though you say, “I am giving so that I can get to give to other people,” this is a false cover-up for what is really going on.
Money is being preached and money is being collected by those who are corrupted. Many ministers need to be exposed of their greed. Some of them have been exposed. They need to repent of hoarding finances and living “high on the hog.” They have collected much of their money by fraud, deceiving people by lies, saying that they are true ministers of the gospel when they are false. Many of these ministers portray the money as helping some needy cause. In some cases little or none goes to these causes. Instead they pad their pocket books. God wants His ministers to be responsible with the finances He has blessed them with. With more that He has given, more will be required. There needs to be faithfulness.
Are you living on an exorbitant salary that you don't need to live on? Compare your salary with others. Compare with other ministers who are not necessarily in the global network, as you are, who are not living at the same financial level as you. In the United States of America, the average family makes somewhere around $48,000 a year. Are you and your family living on $48,000, or thereabouts? I am not setting a standard as to how much you should make, but if you need something to compare it by, you can look at that. The point of the matter is: We are not to be ministers of the gospel for financial gain. This is covetousness and is part of loving the world. If you love the world, the love of the father is not in you.
Identifying False Ministers
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Mt. 7:15-20 NIV)
In view of this passage, what is the fruit of those that you are associated with, of those ministers that you sit and listen to for hours and hours? Are they false prophets or are they true prophets? If they are true prophets, they will be leading you to repentance and in faith towards God. They will be leading you to a deeper relationship with Jesus. If they are false prophets, they will be leading you away from God and towards the love of this world. They probably emphasize money, especially in giving to their ministry. They may teach you constantly about money principles…that being their emphasis. (I am not including financial counselors or experts in this statement.) If they teach principles apart from God or their Biblical context and relate it to money or giving, they are teaching you covetousness. They are false prophets. They are teaching a number of erroneous teachings leading you away from what you read in the Bible. They are teaching you things that are not taught by Jesus, or his apostles and disciples. We need to wake up, Church, and expose them and withdraw ourselves from those who are this way.
For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers…. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole houses by teaching things they ought not to teach - and that for the sake of dishonest gain. (Titus 1:10,11 NIV)
We are to rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith. (Titus 1:13 NIV)
But some of you may say, “There are such signs and wonders and powerful ministry going on. They go and pray for the sick and the sick are healed.” The Lord addresses that in Matthew 7:21-23 NIV:
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
As I speak these words, I am grieved in my heart, for there are many out there that are doing signs and wonders. There are miraculous healings taking place. Demons are being driven out. They are prophesying in Jesus’ name but yet they are not going to go to heaven. They are not part of the kingdom of heaven. They are false prophets. Do not be deceived, Church. Just because there are signs and wonders, and they may be true signs and wonders in our eyes, this does not guarantee that they are not false prophets. For there are many false prophets who are speaking to us words of covetousness.
We need to repent of following those teachings. Leaders, you need to repent of promoting those teachings, for they are false and are leading people to hell. Those who promote these teachings are false ministers. Unless they repent and turn to the Lord, I fear for their souls. There are false prophets and false teachers, who bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord and they bring on themselves swift destruction. They, with covetousness, make merchandise of those who follow their ways. Their judgment does not linger and their damnation does not slumber. The blackness of darkness is reserved for them forever. (2 Peter 2) God is stating here that these people will go to hell. Covetousness is sin. If you are following after covetousness, you are not part of the kingdom of God and if you are promoting the false gospel that proclaims that godliness is a means to gain, no matter how subtle or how obvious you are, you are in danger of hellfire. You need to repent, turn back to God, and follow the true gospel.
Many ministers are serving themselves, but even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. We, as ministers, need to give our lives. We need to be willing to lay down our lives and to serve, rather than being the ones served.
Paul in his final speech to the Ephesian elders stated that he coveted no man's silver, gold or apparel. His hands ministered to his own necessities and those who were with him. He showed them all things, how that so laboring, they ought to support the weak, and to remember “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:28-38) Here is an excellent example to follow. Paul said whatever we learned and received and heard and seen in him we should do and the God of peace will be with us. (Phil. 4:9) Finally Church, always remember that God's grace teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14 NIV)

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Danny Lehmann, "Rich Religion: The Hundredfold Heresy," (cited 7 July 2006); available from http://www.newwineonline.com/files/pdf/wordfaith/nwo_wf_lehmann001.pdf; INTERNET. This article was formerly available through Last Days Ministries, Box 40, Lindale, TX 75771. It was a tract written by this Keith Green ministry in the 1970s or 1980s where this false prosperity gospel is discussed.
My emphasis on the underlined passages in this and all scripture quotes.
Bruce Barron, The Health and Wealth Gospel (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), p.89.
Some of these people include Robert Tilton, Larry Lea, W.V. Grant, Jr. and Jim Bakker. ABC’s Prime Time that aired on January 28, 1991 did exposes on Robert Tilton, and W. V. Grant, Jr. For more information about Robert Tilton, read Hank Hanegraaff, Christianity in Crisis (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1997), 35,36,350.
This is the median family income in 1999. Department of Public Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Trends in the Well-Being of America’s Children and Youth, 2001 Edition, “Section 2: Economic Security,” 2, (cited 10 July 2006); available from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/01trends/ES1.pdf; INTERNET.
I am not suggesting that Christians need to live poorly or to take a "vow of poverty" like the monks used to do in the Catholic Church. This would be an inverse of the prosperity gospel and pride would still be at the root.
I highly recommend the following books for those who want to know more about what I call the “Prosperity,” “Health/Wealth,” or “Word of Faith” movement:
• Bruce Barron, The Health and Wealth Gospel
• Hank Hanegraaff, Christianity in Crisis
• Dave Hunt & T.A. McMahon, The Seduction of Christianity (Harvest House Publishers, 1985)
• D.R. McConnell, A Different Gospel (Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1995)