Covetousness is certainly a destroyer of faith, because the things which are lusted after quickly gain chief place in the heart, and are needed and relied upon instead of the Lord as a source of well-being. Covetous people always grow worse, as the Saviour indicated in the parable of the sower, where the seed sown among thorns sprang up only to be choked by the growing, encroaching weeds of covetousness. What a harrowing, depressing start this makes to a chapter! But we need to be very aware of the dangers surrounding advancement and wealth, and ready to deal with wrong motives and desires.

Factors in favour of advancement

Obviously, not all desire for advancement is covetous. It is possible to have legitimate and wholesome ambitions to secure the essentials of life, to possess a good and reasonable home, to have the means to support the Lord’s work, and to exercise a ministry of hospitality. We do not follow monks, ‘Christian’ ascetics who have historically misunderstood covetousness . . .

. . . others have thought that the only way to avoid this sin is by taking a vow of poverty, and becoming a monk or nun.

It is clear from the Bible that God grants to certain of his people considerable wealth and authority, although not by way of spiritual reward, or as an indication of spiritual obedience, because on this basis the Saviour would have been the richest person in history, not to mention the apostles, and the prophets before them. Nevertheless, God in every age has had his Abrahams, Jobs, Davids, Solomons, Lydias and Philemons. David prayed, ‘Both riches and honour come of thee . . . in thine hand it is to make great’ (1 Chronicles 29.12).

Whether believers will be approved of by the Lord in their handling of wealth and advancement will depend on their motives, attitudes, and stewardship. ‘Charge them that are rich in this world,’ says Paul to Timothy, ‘that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches . . . that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate’ (1 Timothy 6.17-18).

The rules for assessing whether or not we are motivated by covetousness will be presented in due course, but first we must comment on the biblical legitimacy of Christians entering higher levels of employment. Certainly, it is not wrong to succeed and prosper in career and business, or to pursue promotion. The New Testament standards set for Christian slaves apply equally to all free believers in their employment, and these encourage the most positive attitude possible. Service is to be rendered – ‘in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ . . . with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men’ (Ephesians 6.5-7). A similar command elsewhere reads: ‘Obey in all things . . . not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart . . . and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men’ (Colossians 3.22-23). These are clear commands to honour the Lord in the sphere of business and employment, maintaining interest, efficiency, effectiveness, vigour and conscientiousness. These marks of Christian character in employment will frequently be appreciated and rewarded.

. . . to be continued