Beech Tree News Network

We studied last week that people’s wrong attitudes result in wrong actions. We saw that God’s people contend with the temptation to have these wrong attitudes. In fact, the Bible shows us some folks who had wrong attitudes and sinned as a result. Let us study some more wrong attitudes and learn what God expects of us.

One wrong attitude is covetousness. When one places a person or thing before God in terms of importance, this person is covetous. In Colossians 3:5, we note that God equates covetousness with idolatry. Some may be covetous toward money (I Tim. 6:10), toward a person (Ex. 20:17), toward their own interests (Eph. 4:19-20), toward recreation (I Tim. 4:8), etc. Anything that you allow to come between you and God becomes your idol. It is that for which you covet and devote yourself. Friends, we must not be covetous. 

 Some examples of covetousness in the Bible include Achan, who coveted after “a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels” and caused the Israelites to lose the battle against the people of Ai (Josh. 7:5, 18-21). The remedy was that he and his family died so that the Israelites could be in good standing with God (Josh. 7:23-26). We might also consider the covetousness mentioned in I Timothy 6:10. It is a dangerous matter indeed when we are covetous. When people have covetousness in their lives, they will turn away from God and His soul-saving word!

 Another wrong attitude is self-sufficiency. Some, especially in this country, have the attitude that they can do it all by themselves. Some never admit their need for God but think that all things depend upon them and their efforts.  We need to realize that we are not self-sufficient but are helpless. We could do nothing if it were not for God (Jn. 15:5). We would not be here if it were not for God. Colossians 1:17 teaches that if it not for our Lord, nothing would even exist! How dare we think we are self-sufficient in any way? How many times have we sung the song, “I Need Thee Every Hour”? Do we really mean that? Or, is our attitude toward Christ one of “don’t call me, I’ll call you”?

 One who had a self-sufficient attitude was the rich fool of Luke 12. Jesus showed that this man thought he had provided everything for himself. Notice in Luke 12:16-21 that the personal pronoun “I” is used by him six times in this account. He never thought about God nor thanked Him for the blessing. He was merely concerned for himself and lost it all in a night (Lk. 12:20)!

 The Christians to whom James wrote thought they were self-sufficient (Jas. 4:13-16). Their proud, arrogant boasting was evil in God’s sight. They thought they were self-sufficient, could provide for their own, and did not need to include God at any point. They were wrong, and we are wrong if we think we do not need God. We do not know what may come tomorrow (Prov. 27:1). Therefore, we need to remember who holds tomorrow and live for Him!

 God has no part with the covetous or self-sufficient man. Friend, are you guilty of either of these attitudes? If so, you need to repent today. Change your attitude before it is too late (II Cor. 6:2)!

 -- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167