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Our Saviour, upon the occasion given him in the foregoing verses, admonishes all his disciples and followers to take heed and beware of the sin of covetousness, assuring them that neither the comfort nor continuance of a man's life does consist in an abundance; for though something of this world's goods is necessary to the comfort and happiness of life, yet abundance is not necessary.
Here observe, 1. The manner of our Lord's caution: he doubles it; not saying, take heed alone, or beware only, but take heed, and beware, both. This argues that there is a strong inclination in our nature to this sin; the great danger we are in of falling into it, and of what fatal consequence it is to them in whom this sin reigns.
Observe, 2. The matter of the caution of the sin which our Saviour warns his hearers against, and that is covetousness: Take heed, and beware of covetousness. Where, under the name and notion of covetousness, our Saviour does not condemn a provident care for the things of this life, nor a regular industry and diligence for obtaining of them, nor every degree of love and affection to them; but by covetousness, is to be understood an eager and insatiable desire after the things of this life, or using unjust ways and means to get or increase an estate; seeking the things of this life with the neglect of things infinitely better, and placing their chief happiness in riches.