What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice
Black Friday is not so named for the covetous, greedy, depraved, materialistic heart of the American consumer. It probably could have been. Shopping on Friday after the National Day of Thanksgiving can provide some keen insight to God's command, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's” ( Exod. 20:17). To covet is to yearn, desire, or crave to have. Marketers know how to focus a yearning into an overpowering craving that blooms into full on greed. That's what they do. The Psalmist clarifies, “For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth” (Psalm 10:3). Rather than being “abhorred” by the LORD, Christians should follow David's heart, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness” (Psalm 119:36). Solomon says, “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not” (Prov. 21:25-26). Be a giver not a coveter. Covetousness is often listed with the vile affections and works of the flesh which are in the past-tense for Christians, but look at the insight given in Colossians 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Idolatry is praying to and worshiping false, man-made gods! On Black Friday it is easy to see it in others, but be careful that some of that idolatry isn't lodged in our own craw. In this season promoting materialism, be careful not to covet, and God Bless your Holy-Day season.
An Essay for week #47 Nov 25, 2018
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs181125.mp3
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A weekly 300 word essay- The Penny Pulpit
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