It is said, that if a person seeks for the philosopher's stone (which is fabled as turning all metals into gold) with a covetous desire to be rich, he may be sure not to find it. We are sure that precious jewel, contentment, is not to be found in a covetous heart. Let philosophers and moralists reason ever so persuasively against the evil of covetousness, yet the love of money will rise superior to all. What mighty charms are there in gold! But the voice of our Beloved here speaks: his words are spirit and life. Hear them, O disciple: "Take heed and beware."
Consider this admonition of thy Lord's. It is redoubled: "Take heed; beware." Just as the loving parent, seeing his dear child running into the jaws of danger, cries out with vehemence, Take care! Take care! Fix this in thy mind; there is great, very great danger here: our Lord sees it: his love speaks with the utmost earnestness, that we may avoid covetousness.
What is covetousness? One gave a good definition of it, who being advised to leave off business, as he had enough, replied, "What is enough? It is a little more than a man has."
Consider the evil of covetousness. That insatiable desire prevents present contentment, destroys thankfulness, yea, and keeps the enjoyment of Christ out of the heart. Can a covetous mind be happy in God? No; no more than Dives could have been happy in the miserable circumstances of Lazarus, full of hunger and sores. Will any one ask, What harm is there in the love of riches? Paul expressly answers. "A covetous man is an idolater." Eph. 5:5. Is there no harm in this? Our Lord says, "Seek ye first (principally, chiefly, and above all other things) the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33. Is there no harm in reversing Christ's command; and slighting his kingdom of love, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost; by preferring riches?
Soul, consider, What is your profession? Are the unsearchable riches of Christ enough to satisfy your mind, or are they not? Can the enjoyment of fellowship with Christ make your heart happy or not? Have you faith to believe this, or have you not? Does Christ here caution you to no purpose, where there is no danger? O, lay this to heart; cry to the Lord. Covetousness is natural to us: lively faith in Christ will kill it; for it will enable the soul to say with Paul, "I am full and abound." Phil. 4:18.