If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. Exodus 22:25
“Now let some one who has been seized with this disease of covetousness tell me what is the object of this toil for gain? For I know that many with whom I am acquainted, love money more when they are sick than when they are in health. If the doctor prescribes for their recovery softie inexpensive medicine, such as parsley or thyme or anise, which can be procured without expense, they readily heed his directions.
But if he mentions some drug, the ingredients of which are rich and complex, and they are sent to the apothecary or the perfumer to purchase it, they give up their lives rather than open their purses. For being earthly-minded they think the possession of earthly things to be life itself. These men are profoundly depressed by general prosperity and delighted by general distress.
They pray that intolerable burdens of taxation may be imposed by public proclamation that they may increase their money by usury. They want to see their neighbors throttled by money-lenders, in order that they may secure for themselves their farms, their chattels, or live stock, when through necessity they are thrown on the market at a low price.
And they keep continually looking up at the sky, like those philosophers whose work it is to investigate astronomical phenomena, not studying the movement of a star, nor trying to observe what house is occupied by one of the planets, but curious about the state of the atmosphere, whether the signs that present themselves promise a downfall of rain or a drought. And if they see any portent of any calamity threatening to fall on the community at large, they rejoice over it.
They gather everything into their warehouses, which they closely seal and secure with double bars, while they continually measure and reckon up their stores. And while the covetous man cherishes such expectation and in his mind’s eye sees himself rich, if a thick cloud arise, he is frightened as though danger were imminent. If showers besprinkle the earth he begins to weep.”
Asterius of Amasea (350-410) in his sermon, “Against Coveteousness.”
There’s a lot in this sermon. As I head to a memorial service with family today in Cleveland, I ponder what is important in light of eternity after visiting the graveside of my aunt and uncle today (pictured above).
We must focus on hard work to earn an income rather than practice usury (gain at the expense of others). We must care about the Master’s desires more than markets. We must store up resources in heavenly warehouses rather than on earth.
These are key lessons to grasp life. At the end of the day, I am learning that the one who cares about preserving riches, comfort, and earthly holdings, without realizing it, has become a captive to coveteousness. It’s a dark and deceptive master!
Those who value possessions over people will come to realize that “gathering everything” will only leave them empty. God help us value people over possessions so we end up generous givers for your glory. Amen.