Topical Encyclopedia Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions that belong to someone else, is a recurring theme in the Bible, frequently condemned as a root of various sins. In the New Testament, the account of Paul and Silas in Philippi provides a vivid illustration of how covetousness can lead to opposition against the work of God.In Acts 16:16-24, Paul and Silas encounter a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. This girl, through her fortune-telling abilities, brought substantial profit to her owners. The text states, "As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling" (Acts 16:16). The owners' financial gain from her abilities highlights their covetous nature, as their primary concern was the profit she generated rather than her well-being. Paul, moved by the Holy Spirit, commands the spirit to leave her: "Paul became greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!' And it came out at that very moment" (Acts 16:18). The deliverance of the girl, while a miraculous act of liberation, directly threatened the financial interests of her owners. Their reaction underscores the destructive power of covetousness, as their concern for wealth overshadowed any joy or gratitude for the girl's freedom. The owners' covetousness leads them to file a complaint against Paul and Silas, manipulating the legal system to protect their economic interests. They seize Paul and Silas and drag them before the magistrates, accusing them of causing public disorder: "These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice" (Acts 16:20-21). The charges are a pretext, masking their true motivation—anger over the loss of income. The magistrates, swayed by the crowd and the accusations, order Paul and Silas to be beaten and imprisoned. This incident illustrates how covetousness can lead to injustice and persecution, as the desire for wealth prompts individuals to act against the righteous and the innocent. The sorcerers' complaint against Paul and Silas is a testament to the lengths to which people will go to protect their financial interests, even at the expense of truth and justice. Throughout Scripture, covetousness is consistently portrayed as a sin that leads to further transgressions. In this account, it not only results in false accusations and the unjust treatment of God's servants but also reveals the spiritual blindness of those who prioritize material gain over spiritual truth. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing covetousness to dictate one's actions, reminding believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Nave's Topical Index Acts 16:19And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace to the rulers, Nave's Topical Index Resources What is mortification of sin / the flesh? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is godly jealousy? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible mean when it refers to emulations? | GotQuestions.org Covetousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Covetousness in Building Fine Houses While the House of the Lord Lay Waste Covetousness in Buying Esau's Birthright Covetousness in Deceiving Jacob in Wages Covetousness in Deceiving Jacob when he Served Him Seven Years for Rachel Covetousness in Defrauding Esau of His, Father's Blessing Covetousness in Defrauding Laban of his Flocks and Herds Covetousness in Exacting Usury from Their Brethren Covetousness in Following Jesus Merely for the Loaves and Fish Covetousness in Giving Rebekah to be Isaac's Wife Covetousness in Keeping Back the Portion of the Levites Covetousness is Inconsistent in Saints Covetousness is Inconsistent: Specially in Ministers Covetousness is Never Satisfied Covetousness is the Root of all Evil Covetousness: A Characteristic of the Slothful Covetousness: A Characteristic of the Wicked Covetousness: Achan, in Hiding the Treasure Covetousness: Ahab, in Desiring Naboth's Vineyard Covetousness: Avoid Those Guilty of Covetousness: Balaam, in Loving the Wages of Unrighteousness Covetousness: Comes from the Heart Covetousness: Commended by the Wicked Alone Covetousness: David, of Bath-Sheba Covetousness: Demas in Forsaking Paul for Love of the World Covetousness: Demetrius, in Raising a Riot Against Paul and Silas Covetousness: Eli's Sons, in Taking the Flesh of the Sacrifice Covetousness: Engrosses the Heart Covetousness: Eve, in Desiring the Forbidden Fruit Covetousness: Excludes from Heaven Covetousness: Festus, in Hoping for a Bribe from Paul Covetousness: Gehazi, in Taking a Gift from Naaman Covetousness: General Scriptures Concerning Covetousness: Judas, in Betraying Jesus for Twenty Pieces of Silver Covetousness: Leads to Departure from the Faith Covetousness: Leads to Domestic Affliction Covetousness: Leads to Foolish and Hurtful Lusts Covetousness: Leads to Injustice and Oppression Covetousness: Leads to Poverty Covetousness: Lot, in Choosing the Plain of the Jordan Covetousness: Money-Changers in the Temple Covetousness: Nobles of the Jews Covetousness: Reward of Those Who Hate Covetousness: Samuel's Sons, in Taking Bribes Covetousness: Saul, in Sparing, Agag and the Booty Covetousness: Shall Abound in the Last Days Covetousness: Simon Magus, in Trying to Buy the Gift of the Holy Spirit Covetousness: The Rich Young Ruler Covetousness: The Sorcerers, in Filing Complaint Against Paul and Silas Covetousness: The Unjust Steward Covetousness: To be Mortified by Saints Covetousness: Woe Denounced Against Related Terms Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences) Licentiousness (10 Occurrences) |
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