June 12

Godliness with contentment is great gain. — 1 TIM. vi. 6.

Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. — LUKE xii. 15.

HERE we have a solemn command evoked by a striking incident and backed up by a pertinent reason. The command itself is cumulative in form. "Take heed and beware." If we carefully consider what covetousness is in its nature and tendencies, we will diligently avoid it. "Take heed." Meditate upon the tenth commandment as well as repeat it; revolve in mind how discontent with our lot dishonors God, how envy of the apparent happiness of others destroys brotherly sympathy, how covetousness kills generosity, stifles good impulses, and stands in the way of that charity which "suffereth long and is kind" because it "envieth not." And having taken heed, "beware!" Set a watch on every thought and motive that tends toward envy. Be strict with yourself and generous with others. Covetousness creeps in unnoticed, and you will be startled to find it appearing in heart and life. Hence the need of being "wary," vigilant.

The incident out of which this command grew is very striking (v. 13). The dividing of inheritances has been in all the ages a fruitful source of covetousness. Envy is "as rottenness in the bones." How soon envy entered into the world! The first sin was Adam's pride; and the second, perhaps, was Cain's envy.

J. Harsha

The Lord my shepherd is;

I shall be well supplied.

Since he is mine, and I am his,

What can I want beside?

WATTS.