Ten – Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13

Here is a link to last week’s series, Ten.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Exodus 20:17

“What’s in it for me?” “I want what they have.” “I should have that.”

To covet. To earnestly desire what does not belong to you.

What Bible character comes to mind when you think of the sin of coveting?

Some of you immediately thought of King David. After all, David coveted another man’s wife, which led him to the sins of adultery, dishonesty and eventually murder. All of that, just to have what did not belong to him. (2 Samuel 11-13)

But I wonder how many of you thought about Judas?

Usually, when we think of Judas, we think of the sins of betrayal, dishonesty, thievery and greed. But those are simply the outcome of the sin that was really in his heart. That sin was unbelief.

But was Judas also guilty of having a covetous heart?

Certainly.

Judas wanted more. The Bible tells us that he stole from the treasury that he was keeping watch over.

“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

John 12:6

Judas feigned outrage at the waste of the year’s salary when Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, as an act of honor and selflessness. (John 12:1-8)

Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus,

and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

John 12:3

Alabaster bottle

Judas was outraged because he coveted the money Mary spent on the costly oil. Judas reasoned that money could have been in his own pocket. He considered Mary’s extravagant act of worship to be wasted.

Judas coveted everything except life in Christ.

Mary coveted the priceless Gift found only in Jesus.

The sin of covetousness reveals so much about what is in one’s heart, doesn’t it? It exposes greed and dissatisfaction with what one has. It reveals selfishness and other negative character traits. Sadly, it also reveals a discontent with what God has provided for us.

Paul reminded the Philippian believers of this important truth:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

Jesus promised that we will find all we can ever need in Him. This should encourage believers to live selflessly, free from covetousness, greed and envy.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Share the Good News in your world!

Isaiah 52:7