Covetousness

(Ephesians 5:5)

Desire is not inherently bad; it is natural for human. However, covetousness, the attempt to take what has not been permitted by unjust means, is sin—and an even more serious sin is acting on that greed.

1. Characteristic
Acting on the covetousness is akin to idolatry. Those who have inherited God’s Kingdom should have God at the center of their hearts; yet, in the heart of one who pursues covetousness, the object of their greed takes His place. God is pushed aside in their lives, and other created things take control. Such a person, in their attempt to forcefully obtain what God has not permitted, ultimately harms others and commits acts of lawlessness against God.

2. Origin
The origin of covetousness is Satan. Once a servant who worshiped God, Satan revealed his arrogance and ultimately made even God an object of envy and jealousy. Pursuing covetousness, he schemed and acted upon his plans. One-third of the heavenly angels, swayed by his instigation, rose up against God and were ultimately cast down to earth, now awaiting the day of destruction. Even now, they deceive people to prevent them from seeing God’s glory and are obsessed with destroying the church.

3. Result
The attempt to destroy the church is also being carried out by those who call themselves believers. How can those who belong to the Kingdom of God act this way? Of course, they cannot. “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:9). Their actions of harming the church reveal their break from God’s Kingdom. The Kingdom has already begun through Christ’s rule on the earth. So, let us not set our hearts on worldly things. Following the will of God, who leads us into His eternal Kingdom, let us fulfill the work entrusted to us with gratitude and patience.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim