Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 12:15

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness, for a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

The [non-Latin text not transcribed] here Translated Covetousness, is an immoderate desire of having of this Worlds Goods, which discovers it self either by unrighteous Acts in procuring, or uncharitable omissions for the keeping of the things of this Life. It is that [non-Latin text not transcribed], Love of Money, which the Apostle determineth to be the root of all Evil. It is also discovered by a too much thoughtfulness, what we shall Eat, Drink, or put on, or by the too great meltings of our Hearts into our bags of Gold, or Silver. All these come under the notion of that Covetousness, which is here forbidden. In short, whatsoever it is that hindreth our Contentment with the Portion God giveth us upon our indeavours, though it amounteth to no more than Food, and Rayment, according to the Apostles Precept, 1 Tim. 6.8. & Heb. 13.5. This is what Christ warneth his Disciples to beware of, he gives us the reason. For Mans Life consisteth not in the abundance of what he possesseth. Which is true, whether we understand by Life, the subsisting and upholding of our Life, or (as Life is often taken) for the Happiness and Felicity of our Lives. Abundance is not necessary to uphold our Lives. Ad manum est quod sat est, saith Seneca, Nature is content with a little. Sudamus (saith he) ad supervacanea. We sweat only to get Superfluities. Nor will abundance protect our Lives, it will not keep off an Enemy, but rather tempt him; nor fence out a Disease, but rather contribute to it, as ingaging us in immoderate Cares or Labours to procure, and keep it, or as exposing us to Temptations to Riot, and Debauchery, by which Mens Lives are often shortned. Nor doth the Happiness of Life lye in the abundance of what we possess. Some Philosophers determined rightly, that something of this Worlds good, is necessary to our Happiness of Life, but abundance is not. The Poor are as Merry, and many times more satisfyed, more healthy, and at more ease, than those that have abundance. It is a Golden Sentence which deserves to be Ingraven in every Soul.