Topical Bible: Riches: They Who Covet: Use Unlawful Means to Acquire

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The pursuit of riches, when driven by covetousness, often leads individuals to employ unlawful means to acquire wealth. Scripture provides numerous examples and warnings against such behavior, emphasizing the moral and spiritual dangers associated with coveting wealth through unjust means.

Biblical Warnings and Examples:

1. Achan's Sin: Achan's covetousness led him to take forbidden spoils from Jericho, directly disobeying God's command. His unlawful acquisition brought disaster upon himself and Israel. Joshua 7:21 recounts Achan's confession: "When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath."

2. Gehazi's Greed: Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, succumbed to greed by deceitfully acquiring gifts from Naaman, the Syrian, after Elisha had refused them. His actions resulted in Naaman's leprosy clinging to him. 2 Kings 5:26-27 states, "But Elisha asked him, 'Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever.'"

3. Judas Iscariot: Judas, one of the twelve disciples, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, driven by his love for money. His unlawful gain led to his ultimate despair and demise. Matthew 26:14-15 records, "Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?' And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver."

4. Ananias and Sapphira: This couple sought to deceive the early church by withholding part of the proceeds from the sale of their property while claiming to have given all. Their covetousness and deceit led to their sudden deaths. Acts 5:3-4 reveals, "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.'"

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

The Bible consistently teaches that coveting wealth through unlawful means is a grave sin with severe consequences. Proverbs 15:27 warns, "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live." The pursuit of riches at the expense of righteousness leads to spiritual decay and divine judgment.

Exhortations to Righteousness:

Believers are called to seek contentment and trust in God's provision rather than resorting to dishonest means for financial gain. Hebrews 13:5 exhorts, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" The pursuit of wealth should never overshadow one's commitment to integrity and faithfulness to God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Commandments
... adultery, shall not kill, shall not covet the house ... good according to the excellence
of the use; for works ... fellow citizens; and through their riches they are in ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... it were by the way, commends the riches of his ... exception, were unlawful, what will
be the use of the ... the cavils by which the Jews thought they could extenuate ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

part i
... for their good behaviour by the great riches he has ... And, during our prayers, the
evil one makes use of every ... those things which be not as though they were." [22 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm