The concept of covetousness is a significant theme in the Bible, often associated with the character of the wicked. Covetousness, or an insatiable desire for wealth or possessions, is depicted as a root of various sins and a manifestation of a heart turned away from God.

Biblical Definition and Context

Covetousness is defined as an intense desire to possess something that belongs to another. It is more than mere admiration or aspiration; it is a consuming longing that can lead to sinful actions. The Tenth Commandment explicitly warns against coveting: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment highlights the internal nature of covetousness, distinguishing it from outward actions.

Covetousness in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, covetousness is frequently linked with idolatry and injustice. The prophet Micah condemns those who "covet fields and seize them, or houses, and take them away" (Micah 2:2), illustrating how covetous desires lead to oppression and theft. Similarly, Ahab's coveting of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21) demonstrates how unchecked desire can result in manipulation and murder.

Covetousness in the New Testament

The New Testament continues to address covetousness as a significant moral failing. Jesus warns, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). Here, covetousness is portrayed as a distraction from true spiritual wealth and a barrier to entering the Kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul frequently admonishes against covetousness, equating it with idolatry. In Ephesians 5:5, he writes, "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" . Paul’s letters often list covetousness alongside other sins, emphasizing its destructive nature and incompatibility with a life led by the Spirit (Colossians 3:5).

Consequences of Covetousness

The Bible presents covetousness as a gateway to numerous other sins. It leads to theft, deceit, and even murder, as seen in the narratives of Achan (Joshua 7) and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16). Covetousness is also depicted as a source of personal and communal strife, causing divisions and conflicts within families and communities.

Spiritual Implications

Covetousness is fundamentally a spiritual issue, reflecting a heart that prioritizes material wealth over God. It reveals a lack of trust in God's provision and a failure to find contentment in His blessings. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you'" . This verse underscores the importance of reliance on God's presence and promises rather than material possessions.

Remedy and Transformation

The Bible offers a remedy for covetousness through contentment and generosity. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and to seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). By focusing on eternal treasures rather than earthly wealth, Christians can overcome the temptation of covetousness and live in accordance with God's will.Micah 2:2
And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 1:29
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Nave's Topical Index

On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop.
... II."On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop ... suffering than offering injuries;
not covetous, nor rapacious ... one who has renounced all the wicked projects of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the character and.htm

Blessing and Cursing
... to the misery which he has earned; when the covetous and dishonest ... will come home,
not merely to that very rare character, the absolutely wicked man, the ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xi blessing and cursing.htm

Of the Crimes of the Wicked, and the Torture Inflicted on the ...
... wicked, rapacious, unchaste, adulterers, perjured, covetous, and fraudulent? ... they
themselves who commit wicked actions are ... on either side the character of the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of the crimes of.htm

Tenth Commandment
... through the shell and come out in his true character as a ... David said: "The wicked
boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... in their power; the ambitious, the covetous, the dissolute man ... yet men will and can
be wicked, with calmness ... of another kind in persons of another character. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... 6. As an essential part of the character of God's ... No whoremonger, nor unclean person,
nor covetous man, who is an ... The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

The Character of Christ's People
... many of you are worldly, carnal, and covetous; and yet ... world to pick out the righteous
from the wicked. ... them by their distinct, unvarying character"they are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the character of christs people.htm

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... On this account he left the wicked in the midst of the good, that ... Is any covetous
and rapacious ... For the character of calamities is not of such a kind, that they ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

Internal Foes.
... "The wicked blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.". Covetousness enticed
Lot into Sodom. ... It was the blot in the character of Felix. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part ii internal foes.htm

In the Next Place, that He was Betrayed by those whom He Called ...
... the purpose of Judas, that along with his covetous disposition, and his wicked design
to betray his Master, he had still a feeling of a mixed character in his ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xi in the next.htm

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