========================================================================
  OF THE PRACTICE OF COVETOUSNESS IN KEEPING WEALTH
  by William Gouge
========================================================================

Summary: The sermon warns against the dangers of covetousness in keeping
wealth, highlighting the importance of prioritizing generosity and
concern for the needs of others.

Topics: "Wealth Management", "Christian Stewardship"
Scripture References: Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 11:24, Proverbs 22:9, Ecclesiastes 4:8, Matthew 6:34, Acts 20:35, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Timothy 6:10, James 5:1

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

William Gouge preaches about covetousness in keeping wealth,
highlighting two practices: hoarding excessively out of fear for the
future, as seen in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12, and
neglecting to provide for the common good or the needs of the poor. He
emphasizes the folly of laboring endlessly for riches without
satisfaction, as described in Ecclesiastes 4:8, and the sinful nature of
worrying about the future, which goes against Christ's teachings in
Matthew 6:34. Gouge warns against selfish accumulation of wealth and
urges for a mindset of generosity and care for others.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/william-gouge/of-the-practice-of-covetousness-in-keeping-wealth/
========================================================================