“Result Of Covetousness-2”
Saturday, June 21, 2025Key Verse
“And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died” (1 Kings 21:13).
Text —1 Kings 21:8-15
Message
According to Lailah Gifty Akita, “Destruction lies in disobedience.” In our text, we are made to understand that it was “Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols” that God decided to bring evil upon Jerusalem and Judah and wipe Jerusalem out.
It is a good thing for one to have the zeal or zest to reach their pinnacle in life. But the question is, what happens after reaching there? When Manasseh became king what did he do? We are told that he and his people refused to obey God’s commandments. Like him, some youths are driven by a hard-wired, naked ambition to succeed and will stop at nothing to get there. But when they reach their desired pinnacle, they turn their backs on God. God forbid such in your life! As you press relentlessly toward the top, avoid being ruthless when you get there. Rather, make every effort to maintain a strong relationship with God and man.The famous writer Horace says, “The covetous person is full of fear; and he or she who lives in fear will ever be a slave.” People oftentimes develop a desire for something that is not in God’s plan for them. When they fail to attain what their heart is set on, the desire can build into intense, unrelenting pressure, which gives room for covetousness. Young Christians who are consumed by covetousness are likely to cease to depend on God. To reach a goal, some will manipulate circumstances because they have lost faith in the Lord’s ability to provide what is best for them. Then fear becomes an issue as the person chases harder after the object of his desire.
From our text, we learn that the consequences of covetousness are painful. This is so for believers whose spiritual sensitivity can be weakened such that they no longer hear the voice of God. Beware, for it can lead to a life of tension, worry, and even murder as it happened to Naboth in the hands of King Ahab who distanced himself from God.
Quote
The consequences of covetousness are painful.
Challenge
What negative desire is eating you up?
Prayer for today
O Lord, let me know no spirit of covetousness.