Covetousness, Greed & Idolatry
Introduction
●Paul is calling the Colossians to get rid of the things in life that hinder us from following Jesus.
●Things that stop from being true Disciples
●These things are hard hitting
●God's heart is for us to desire him
●Paul's desire is that the people of God be fully satisfied with God himself seeking his face not his hand.
So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Colossians 3:5
To Covet
●Paul says, “Covetousness, which is idolatry.”
●So what does idolatry look like today? The activity of the human heart.
●This is not a deed of the body. That follows — a fruit on a branch. It starts in the heart: craving, wanting, enjoying, being satisfied by anything that you treasure more than God.
That is an idol. Paul calls this covetousness — a disordered love or desire, loving more than God what ought to be loved less than God and only for the sake of God.
But covetousness is the condition that this disordered heart is in, an act of loving too much what ought to be loved less. And that is why the wrath of God is coming. That is what idolatry looks like today. And it is everywhere in our culture.
John Piper - Desiring God
What is an idol? Well, it is the thing. Ed Stetzer, in an article called Idolatry Is Alive Today, gives this idolatry definition:
“Is it that a 12-inch tall piece of wood or bronze can do something bad to us? Or is it that we do something awful to ourselves when we place adoration and attention that should go to God in other things? When it comes to idolatry, the danger is not in an item… it is in us.”
Tim Keller, in his book Counterfeit Gods answers what is an idol this way,
“An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, and anything that you seek to give you what only God can give.
It is the thing loved or the person loved more than God, wanted more than God, desired more than God, treasured more than God, enjoyed more than God.
It's not the external but the internal, it starts with our heart, Is there anything you desire more than God himself?
God's Law
Exodus 20:2-5
Exodus 20:17
Even the things of God can become Idols if in our hearts we desire them more than God himself
Romans 1:22–23
What are the Idols of today?
1. Our Identity
2. Money/Consumerism
3. Entertainment
4. Sex
5. Comfort
6. Our Phones
It could be a Partner
It could be Achievement, good grades, Degree
It could be the approval of other people.
It could be success in business. Or your career.
It could be sexual stimulation.
It could be a hobby or a musical group that you are following or a sport
Having a perfect Home and/or Garden
Or your own looks could be an idol.
It could be anything.
So Paul puts it like this:
This is how we used to live - Romans 1:25
And why is that? - 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
This is how we are called to live - Hebrews 4:12-13
So when we turn to Jesus Christ from idols, we escape the wrath of God because he is for us. God is for us in Christ on the cross - Matthew 22:37-40
Conclusion
Being fully satisfied with who God is for us in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 96:1-6
Group Questions
Is there anything you are placing higher than God in your heart?
Some Questions to ask ourselves that will help us to recognise if we are:-
Where Do I Spend My Time?
Where Do I Spend My Money?
Where Do I Get My Joy?
What’s Always On My Mind?
What do you need to do?