Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or COVETOUSNESS, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints...Ephesians 5:1-2
COVET: "covetousness," lit., "a desire to have more" (pleon, "more," echo, "to have"),
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
To covet is to have a desire for MORE. Does that sound like Americans? Even those of us who follow Christ? I can certainly give an 'amen' for myself. Even though the Lord has 'downsized' us and even though my 'wants' have been GREATLY diminished due to the size of our current home .. frankly because there just isn't anywhere left to place something (we live in less than 300 sq. ft.)... I still find myself wanting more... just one more new top for summer .. or my greatest temptation which is 'just one more book' ... even though I have a box of new books next to my bed which I haven't read.
The size of my home has helped narrow my temptation quite a bit. I no longer come to a sudden stop for garage sales. I no longer cruise the isles of Target or Walmart for something new to place in my home. My little studio is full to the brim (along with my garage and a small storage unit) which helps diminish the temptation to buy more. Also, the fact that the Lord has reduced our budget to nearly 1/3 of what we used to live on has helped greatly in my fight against the temptation of wanting more STUFF!
God says in His Word that GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT is great gain. Not the things of this world.
God continues to teach me His lessons in the school of contentment. I wish I wasn't such a slow learner.
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Tim 6:6-10
NKJV