“And Such Were Some Of You … Thieves … Covetous”

by Micky Galloway

The beloved apostle Paul wrote, “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

Stealing that which belongs to another was condemned in the ten commandments. Exodus 20:15 clearly teaches, “Thou shalt not steal.” “All theft is forbidden by this precept; national and commercial wrongs as well as petty larceny, highway robberies, and private stealing: even the taking advantage of a seller’s or buyer’s ignorance, to give one less and make the other pay more for a commodity than its worth, is a breach of this sacred law. All withholding of rights and doing of wrongs are against the spirit of it” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary). This command forbids us to rob by removing the ancient landmarks, invading our neighbor’s rights, taking his goods from his person, or house, or field, forcibly or through deceit, over-reaching in bargains, failing to restore what is borrowed or found, withholding just debts, rents, or wages, and to rob the public of revenue by cheating on income taxes. “It has been supposed that under the eighth commandment, injuries done to character, the depriving a man of his reputation or good name, are included, hence, those words of one of our poets:

Good name in man or woman
Is the immediate jewel of their souls.
Who steals my purse steals trash, – –
But he that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that which not enriches him
And makes me poor indeed.” (ibid)

That the Corinthians had exercised themselves in this vice is evident and seems characteristic of those of the world. Stealing is the natural propensity of the old man, and it is indulged in many ways. Paul said to the Ephesians, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28; cf I Thessalonians 4:6). One would think today that one professing to be a Christian would know that it is wrong to be a “thief.” However, the practice of pilfering prevails in, probably, every pagan community, and no property is safe which is not guarded, or so locked up as to be inaccessible. Therefore, those converted at Corinth had been long addicted to it, there was danger that they would fall into it again; and hence the necessity of special cautions of the eternal consequences of returning to the old life.

Perhaps it is a given that all stealing would be precipitated by “covetousness.” Covetousness is an inordinate (unlawful) desire. Its nature manifests itself in different ways. It is sometimes seen in the eager anxiety to get things quick. The prodigal son wanted his inheritance NOW (cf Luke 15:11-12). Often covetousness is seen in a reluctance to use what we have and we hoard it up. Paul said, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:10). The Lord said, “Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). Covetousness is also idolatry (Colossians 3:5) The deification of our passion, lust, desires, possessions, etc. The height of desire becomes the chief end of our labors; thus, we “worship” these things. Since covetousness is idolatry, one who covets is an idolater. Covetousness is not to “even be named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3).

Jesus warned to “beware of covetousness” (Luke 12:15). Why? Not only because of what it is, but because of what it will do to ourselves and to those about us! Covetousness caused some to suffer oppression. Jacob was oppressed at the hands of Laban for twenty years (See Genesis 31:7, 15, 41-42). Covetousness caused Israel to fall so far that when the prophet called upon them to return to the old paths their reply was, “We will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:13-16). Covetousness caused David to commit adultery (II Samuel 11:1-5) and then commit murder. It also caused Ahab to desire Naboth's vineyard (I Kings 21:2-16) and caused Jezebel to have Naboth killed. Covetousness also causes men to lie as in the case of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). Achan coveted the spoils of the city of Jericho and stole them and hid them in the midst of his tent (Joshua 7). It also robs churches of strength. Today when members of the church place so much importance on material things, the potential of every congregation is greatly lessened. Imagine how much work we could do if every member was willing to first give “their own selves to the Lord” (II Corinthians 8:5), and willing to “spend and be spent” (II Corinthians 12:15) that the gospel might be preached.

What is the cure for covetousness and stealing? We must be willing to get at the root of such selfishness. We must change the heart. Paul said, “Put to death … covetousness” (Colossians 3:5-6). John admonished, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). Obedience to the Lord prompted by love for Him can purify the heart, guard thoughts, discipline the desires. The cure for these sins is repentance. “And such WERE some of you” (I Corinthians 6:11).