Overcoming Sin through Christ

A Comprehensive List of Sins

(Alphabetically Arranged)

Richard Hollerman

The plan of this study is simple.  We will look at a large number of sins, one by one, alphabetically.  We will define the sin, describe it, and comment on it, along with noticing Scripture references on the particular entry.  Some illustrations will be offered along with the description.

Materialism

Our word materialism means a “preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, as opposed to spiritual or intellectual values.”[1][1]  It is “the theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life. . . . A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.”[2][2]

All through history, there has been a battle between the present life and the life to come, the earthly life and the heavenly kingdom, the seen and the unseen realms.  It is true that God created “the present heavens and earth”—but this is “kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7).

This earth is not meant to last forever, for one day “the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (v. 10).  Since this earth will not last, we shouldn’t place our ultimate interest and hope in this world.  If you knew that your house would burn down in one year, would you spend much time beautifying the edifice?  No, there are other things in life that are more worthy of our time, attention, and money.

Jesus plainly tells us where our interest should be.  He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,” but “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Why?  Because “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).  If we want our heart to be in heaven, we should be storing up our treasures there (cf. Matthew 19:21; Mark 10:21; Luke 12:21, 33; 18:22; 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 19).

We store up treasures in heaven when we give to those in need (Mark 10:21) and when we “do good” and are “rich in good works” and are “generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:19).  We surely store up heavenly treasure when we labor for the Lord in all ways—when we share the gospel, when we teach His word, when we bless those in need, when we bring people to Christ, and the like.  Where is our heart?

Paul said, “We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).  This shows us Paul’s passion and his perspective.

Paul expresses it again when he wrote, “If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).  Each of these four verses has a message to us.  Are we seeking the things above? Do we set our mind on the things above?  Only if we have this heavenly view will we be revealed with Christ in glory!

How do we use our income?  This is a good judge of where our heart is.[3][3]  Someone once said, “Show me your checkbook and I’ll tell you where your heart is!”  How do we use our possessions?  Your house, your car, your clothes, your bank account—all of this will say something about your view of material things and your view of spiritual things.

Do you spend your time piling up things on earth that have no direct connection with the kingdom of God?  Do you use your money on yourself and your pleasures—or do you use it to advance the cause of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:14; Galatians 6:6) and meet the needs of your poor brothers and sisters (Mark 10:21; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:6-15)?  Are you consumed in your thinking, planning, and working on things of this world—or do you actively work for the kingdom of God and the cause of Christ?  Materialism is a sin that permeates this society and only by God’s grace will we escape its devious, deceptive trap.

 

[1][1] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[2][2] The American Heritage College Dictionary.

[3][3] See our tract, The Test of Money.