The natural tendency of the heart often needs to be met with that word, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness" (Luke 12:15). It is the love of possession. One came to the Lord saying, "Master, Speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me." The heart wanted to keep it. If love of the world or covetousness gets in among the saints, it is an insidious thing and most difficult to meet because it is often not open to discipline; and yet, if covetousness slips into the heart, it checks the power of Christ over the soli' and conscience, and eats out the practical life of the Christian, and his soul is withered, withered, withered. It may be checked by the power of God coming in but this covetous care about earthly things is so subtle that, while there is nothing on which to lay the hand, the practical power of Christian life in the soul is gone, though of course I need hardly say, eternal life can never be lost in those who once had it.