Christ’s parable of the rich fool explains covetousness and the danger it poses to our lives. Covetousness is having a mind centred on acquiring earthly possessions instead of pursuing the fulfillment of a future eternal hope. Like the rich fool who was uncharitable to his fellow human beings, had no regard for God, and died prematurely, “So is (anyone who) layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” We must remember that the wealth we amass here on earth is insignificant in eternity.

Therefore, “…what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Those who die without salvation and holiness will have a regrettable end. For this reason, we must set our priorities right, seek God’s kingdom and “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

This will portray us as believers who have a fair perception of identifiable, conditional promises of the Lord. Although the Lord has given us His promises, we need to understand the conditions attached thereto. “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Obedience to God’s word is indispensable to receiving answers to prayer. Understanding and meeting the conditions attached to the promises of God enable us to pray intelligently. We must understand that there are promises in the Bible for sinners, backsliders, sons and daughters of God, as well as His ministers. It is essential to find out where those promises belong when studying the Scriptures.

Besides, to receive answers to our prayers, we must be submissive to God’s word and cultivate a humble spirit. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” As New Testament believers, if we abide in Christ, allow His words to abide in us and keep to His terms, when we make our request in prayer, “it shall be done unto (us).”

Whatever our needs, we must come to the Lord with assurance, firm persuasion, unshakable faith and confidence that He cannot fail. Those who lack salvation, holiness, wisdom, healing and sufficiency, or face any other spiritual or physical need, should “ask of God.” He “giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” God answered the prayers of the Patriarchs in the Bible; He still answers prayers in our contemporary time. We must not waver or doubt when we pray, but be “fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

Further reading (King James Version): Psalms 65:2; 55:17; Acts 9:9-11. Isaiah 1:12,16-20; Matthew 6:31-33; Luke 12:15-21; Mark 8:36; Hebrews 12:14. Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 28:1,2; 2 Chronicles 7:14; John 14:14-16; 15:7. James 1:5-8.