[Paul is speaking to the Ephesian elders] “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
There have been times when I’ve seen others’ wealth and wondered what it would be like to drop $80,000 on a new car, $120,000 on a custom backyard pool, or even $50,000 on a vacation. And I have seen men wearing such well-tailored and fitting clothes and wished I could be so well dressed. I’m sure I’ve come close to coveting any of those items, but I certainly don’t live in that thought mode. And I realize there are many who would look at our lifestyle and have those same thoughts – minus a zero or two!
I am intrigued that Paul mentions that he coveted on one’s silver or gold, or apparel. But I think it goes to the harsh realities he endured in his missionary journeys. Not only did they not have Holiday Inns or even Motel 6 in those days, the harsh weather environment and daily living challenges are unknown to us. I’m guessing he had cause to covet a dry and warm set of clothes when he was in the wet darkness of the Ephesian jail. And his consistent witness was that God supplied all his needs, not that he had such great resources – unlike the TV prosperity preachers of today.
It takes only a few minutes of TV sports to be bombarded with invitations to buy this, taste these, wear that. It’s as though Satan has elevated every temptation to covet to a worldly virtue. Whether it’s the financial advisors touted during golf tournaments, or the beer ads during basketball or baseball games, we’re urged to want it all, gain it all, and gloat about it all. You’ve arrived!
Jesus says, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Covetousness is a black hole of desire. It is never satisfied. It never brings life. It self-implodes in its vain appetite.
We might want a better car, a nicer home, or even a backyard pool. But we never need to seek these things at the expense of others, or let them get in the way of seeking God’s kingdom. A friend of mine decided several years ago to forego building a summer home in Colorado. They had all the money saved. They had the lot picked out and purchased. But they decided that if they built that place he wouldn’t be able to teach his Sunday School class; it would get in the way of his pursuit of God’s mission.
May gold, silver or apparel never get in the way of my witness or God’s rule and reign in my life.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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