OK, Christian brothers and sisters. Where are you today, the day after Thanksgiving which is now being called "Black Friday? No doubt you just got done yesterday being very spiritual, thanking God for all the many blessings He has bestowed on you. No doubt the last thing you would think of doing yesterday or today would be to deliberately SIN against Him when He suffered and died for you. Right?
I'm going to review this one again, which I posted on June 8, 2010: What is Sin?? Sin is lawlessness. (See I John 3:4). Lawlessness means "without law". God's law is found in the Ten Commandments, and one of those commandments specifically says, "Thou shalt not covet"! But as in Genesis 3:1 when Satan came to Eve and asked her, "Did God indeed say?", so today many of God's people are listening to that same voice.
As Christians we need to recognize the voice of the enemy and CHOOSE to OBEY the voice of our God! In Colossians 3:5 God says we are to put to death "covetousness, which is idolatry." Hmmm, ever think you are practicing "idolatry" when you are practicing "covetousness"? That isn't the end of what God has to say about it in this passage. The next verse (verse 6) God says that because of our disobedience - His wrath is coming on us!! (And that is New Testament teaching, loved ones!)
Let's hear what God has to say on this subject in Ephesians 5:3: "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints." Ephesians 5:5 goes even further: "For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
Jesus (Who is God) said in Luke 12:15: "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he posesses." Are you one of the many who are out today hoping to come home with an "abundance of things"?
Let me ask you, what is the opposite of covetousness? I believe the opposite of covetousness is contentment! So hear what God says about contentment on this Black Friday: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
Focusing on "great gain" or an "abundance of things" is not part of God's calling on your life as a Christian. He has called us to "come out of the world and be separate" (or different!), to "be set apart" and to "be holy". God's idea of "great gain" is totally opposite of the world's view of it. What does God consider "great gain"? It is being a godly person who is content with his relationship with God and with all the good things God has already blessed him with. So regarding this Black Friday: "If it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, CHOOSE for yourselves THIS DAY whom you will serve....But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
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