“And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accused” 1 Chronicles 2:7 (KJV).
What a bad legacy: King Solomon said that “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold” Proverbs 22:1 (KJV). For Achan, reverse was the case. He was enticed by the accused things; he coveted for them and lusted after them thus bringing a curse, not only to himself and his family but to the whole house of Israel. Rather than been a channel of blessing, he became a channel of untold hardship, pain and affliction to God’s people.
Hear his confession “when I saw among the spoils a godly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it” Joshua 2:21 (KJV). It was obvious he did not act out of ignorance but out of greed, lust and smartness. He failed to understand that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he posses. Like Achan, many Christians today trade God for gold. Examples abound in the scriptures of people of God who fell into the temptation of lust and greed. Gehazi fell for Naaman’s peanuts (2 Kings 5:20-21), the consequences was so devastating. Esau fell for Jacob’s plate of portage and traded his birthright for the plate of food. His life was marred with regret (Heb 12:16 -17).
Jesus warned, beware of covetousness for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).
Moses on the contrary chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of reward (Hebrews 11:25-26)
PRAYER: Oh God, free my heart from greed and covetousness in Jesus name
Rev. Vincent Diolu