The love of money remains
Covetousness, in every kind and every degree, is certainly as contrary to the love of our neighbor as it is to the love of God. Love of money remains. Call it the love of money, which is too often the root of all evils. Or call it a desire of having more, of increasing in what we own. How few, even of the real children of God, are entirely free from both?
One great man, Martin Luther, used to say that he never had any covetousness in him, not only after he was converted, but ever since he was born. If that is so, I would not hesitate to say that he was the only man born of a woman, except the one who was God as well as man, who was born without it. No. I believe there was never anyone born of God, who lived any considerable time afterward, who did not feel more or less of this many times, especially in that second sense, the desire of having more. We may therefore set it down as an undoubted truth that covetousness, together with pride, self-will, and anger, remains in the hearts even of those who are justified.
1771 text
9. Covetousness in every kind and degree is certainly as contrary to this as to the love of God. Whether φιλαργυρία, the love of money, which is too frequently the root of all evils, or πλεονεξία, literally, a desire of having more, or increasing in substance. And how few even of the real children of God, are entirely free from both? Indeed one great man, Martin Luther used to say, he “Never had any covetousness in him, (not only in his converted state, but) ever since he was born.” But if so, I would not scruple to say, he was the only man born of a woman, (except him that was God as well as man) who had not, who was born without it. Nay, I believe, never was any one born of God, that lived any considerable time after, who did not feel more or less of it many times, especially in the latter sense. We may therefore set it down as an undoubted truth, that covetousness, together with pride, and self-will and anger remain in the hearts even of them that are justified.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 14 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15. Dated at Londonderry, 24 April 1767.
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