Topical Bible: Covetousness: A Characteristic of the Slothful

Bible > Topical > Covetousness

◄ Covetousness: A Characteristic of the Slothful ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for possessions or wealth, is frequently condemned in the Bible as a sin that leads individuals away from godliness and contentment. It is closely linked with slothfulness, as both traits reflect a heart that is not aligned with the virtues of diligence, gratitude, and trust in God's provision.

Biblical Definition and Context

The Bible defines covetousness as an inordinate desire for what belongs to others, which can manifest in various forms, including greed, envy, and materialism. The Tenth Commandment explicitly warns against coveting: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment highlights the internal nature of covetousness, which begins in the heart and can lead to other sins.

Covetousness and Slothfulness

Slothfulness, or laziness, is characterized by a lack of motivation to work or fulfill responsibilities. The Bible often associates slothfulness with poverty and ruin, as seen in Proverbs 24:30-34: "I went past the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. Thorns had grown up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was broken down. I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit" .

The connection between covetousness and slothfulness lies in the desire for gain without effort. The slothful person may covet the success and possessions of others but lacks the diligence to achieve similar results through hard work. This attitude is condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a failure to steward one's talents and opportunities responsibly.

Warnings and Consequences

The Bible warns of the spiritual dangers of covetousness, emphasizing that it can lead to idolatry. Colossians 3:5 states, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . Here, greed, or covetousness, is equated with idolatry because it places material desires above God.

The consequences of covetousness are severe, as it can lead to a host of other sins, including theft, deceit, and even violence. The account of Achan in Joshua 7 illustrates this vividly. Achan's covetousness led him to steal forbidden items, resulting in Israel's defeat in battle and his eventual execution.

Exhortations to Contentment and Diligence

In contrast to covetousness and slothfulness, the Bible exhorts believers to cultivate contentment and diligence. 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 encourages trust in God's provision and a focus on eternal rather than temporal wealth.

Furthermore, the Bible praises diligence and hard work as virtues that lead to prosperity and honor. Proverbs 13:4 states, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied" . This proverb contrasts the unfulfilled desires of the slothful with the satisfaction of those who work diligently.

Conclusion

While covetousness and slothfulness are often linked, the Bible provides a clear path away from these sins through the cultivation of contentment, trust in God, and diligent stewardship of one's resources and abilities. By aligning one's heart with God's will, believers can overcome the temptations of covetousness and live lives marked by gratitude and purpose.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 21:26
He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Preface --The Author's Object --The Utility of Written ...
... increase, He said, "Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou ... and that which is, as
it were, characteristic of a ... says the apostle, "nor a cloak of covetousness. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter i prefacethe authors objectthe utility.htm

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to ...
... 'Be not slothful to go ... thyself of those things that may hang upon thee to the hindering
of thee in the way to the kingdom of heaven, as covetousness, pride, lust ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the heavenly footman or a.htm