RPM, Volume 12, Number 35, August 29 to September 4, 2010

Covetousness

By William Gouge

Of the Nature of Covetousness
Of the Practice of Covetousness in Getting Wealth
Of the Practice of Covetousness in Keeping Wealth
Of the Practice of Covetousness in Spending
Of the Heinousness of Covetousness
Of Remedies Against Covetousness
Of Well-Using Abundance
Of Examination of a Man's Self About Covetousness
Of Rules to Find Out Covetousness
Of Over-Rash Censuring Others of Covetousness
Of Contentedness. What It Is. The Grounds of Contentedness.

Of the Practice of Covetousness in Keeping Wealth

Covetousness in keeping wealth is practiced two ways:

1. When men hoard up all that they can, though they have enough for the present, yet fearing want for the future, treasure up whatsoever they can get. So did the rich fool in the Gospel. His ground bearing fruit plentifully, his mind was presently set upon enlarging his barns to lay up for many years to come, Luke xii. etc. &c. The wise man doth set out this covetous practice, 'There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches,' Eccles. iv. 8. These are they that take thought for the morrow; that is, cark and care for the future time, which Christ expressly forbiddeth, Mat. vi. 34. They think that whosoever want, they will not.

2. When men hoard up only for themselves, they care not what treasure for the future the commonwealth or the church hath against times of need and trial, nor do they care for the flock of the poor.

This article is provided as a ministry of Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill). If you have a question about this article, please email our Theological Editor.

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Covetousness

By William Gouge

Contents

Of the Practice of Covetousness in Keeping Wealth