Further Thought: In the conquest of Jericho, Achan was not the only
man carrying silver and gold back to the camp of Israel. Joshua had told
the men to bring back the silver and gold and vessels of brass and iron to
the treasury of the house of God (Josh. 6:19, 24). Everything else was to be
burned. Achan, however, was the only man to keep something for himself.
“Of the millions of Israel there was but one man who, in that solemn hour
of triumph and of judgment, had dared to transgress the command of God.
Achan’s covetousness was excited by the sight of that costly robe of Shinar;
even when it had brought him face to face with death he called it ‘a goodly
Babylonish garment.’ One sin had led to another, and he appropriated the
gold and silver devoted to the treasury of the Lord—he robbed God of
the first fruits of the land of Canaan.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and
Prophets, p. 496.
In Paul’s list of signs of the last days, the first two items involve our
attitude toward money and possessions. “But know this, that in the last
days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money [covetous]” (2 Tim. 3:1, 2, NKJV). Selfishness and love
of money are significant descriptions of humanity in the last days—our
day.
Discussion Questions:
Ê Read 1 Timothy 6:6–10: “Now godliness with contentment
is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is
certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing,
with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall
into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful
lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love
of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed
from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through
with many sorrows” (NKJV). In class, talk about examples of those
who, because of the love of money, have “pierced themselves [and
others] through with many sorrows.” There are lots of examples,
aren’t there? How can we find the right balance, knowing that
we need money to get by but not falling into the trap Paul warns
about here?
Ë What are other things, besides money, that we can covet?
Ì What is the difference between a legitimate desire for some-
thing and covetousness? When might a legitimate desire for some-
thing turn into covetousness?
