But 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. 1 Timothy 6:6-10
“Most of us have heard a sermon or three about generous giving…It is far more rare to hear messages about dealing with the challenge of living in a society (and at times, a church culture) that treats covetousness as a virtue. It may be rarer still to admit that each one of us has struggled with the longing to take for ourselves what the Giver of all good gifts has given. Most churches have at least one member who was rocked by the economic meltdown. Often, these people have hard-won wisdom to share with the rest of us about what really matters in life, as well as stories of God’s care and provision to tell. Their stories can be helpful tutors as we learn to fight the temptation to covet other people’s possessions and relationships.”
Michelle Van Loon in Green with Housing Envy: Bursting the Bubble of Coveting My Neighbor’s Home: The spiritual key to stop coveting a bigger and better home July 16, 2012 blogpost on her.meneutics: the Christianity Today blog for women.
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