Topical Bible: Covetousness: Avoid Those Guilty of

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Covetousness, often synonymous with greed, is a strong desire for the possessions or wealth of others. It is a sin that is frequently condemned in the Bible, as it leads individuals away from contentment and towards idolatry. The Scriptures provide clear guidance on the dangers of covetousness and the importance of avoiding those who are guilty of it.

Biblical Warnings Against Covetousness

The Bible explicitly warns against covetousness in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Ten Commandments, God commands, "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 comprehensive nature of covetousness, extending beyond material possessions to include relationships and status.

In the New Testament, 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). This teaching emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in spiritual richness.

Avoiding Those Guilty of Covetousness

The Bible advises believers to distance themselves from those who are characterized by covetousness. In 1 Corinthians 5:11, Paul instructs, "But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbal abuser, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat" . This directive underscores the corrupting influence that covetous individuals can have on a community of believers.

Furthermore, in Ephesians 5:5-7, Paul warns, "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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partners with them" . Here, covetousness is equated with idolatry, and believers are cautioned against forming partnerships with those who practice such sins.

The Spiritual Dangers of Covetousness

Covetousness is not merely a personal failing but a spiritual danger that can lead to further sin and separation from God. In Colossians 3:5, Paul exhorts believers to "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . This passage highlights the need for a decisive break from covetousness, as it is fundamentally opposed to a life in Christ.

The love of money, a common manifestation of covetousness, is particularly dangerous. In 1 Timothy 6:10, Paul writes, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" . This verse illustrates how covetousness can lead individuals away from their faith and into spiritual ruin.

Practical Steps for Avoidance

To avoid the influence of covetous individuals, believers are encouraged to cultivate contentment and generosity. 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 assurance of God's presence and provision is the antidote to the anxiety and dissatisfaction that fuel covetousness.

Additionally, believers are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all necessary things will be provided (Matthew 6:33). By prioritizing spiritual growth and reliance on God, Christians can resist the temptations of covetousness and maintain a pure and faithful walk with the Lord.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionist; with such an one no not to eat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Apollonius.
... voluntary offerings; who grants stipends to those who publish ... of dress, how can I
avoid treating her ... in a garb of plausible [3799] covetousness, who declined ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/apollonius.htm

Can it at any Time or Place be Unjust to Love God with all His...
... But those actions which are offences against the customs ... robber to the traveller;
or to avoid some evil ... suffering the loss of all, through covetousness of more ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter viii can it at.htm

The Disputes of the Faithful to be Settled by the Decisions of the ...
... anger without measure, passion without mercy, covetousness without justice ... from God
on account of those that are justly condemned, they avoid such unjust ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi the disputes of the.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... my heart to thy Testimonies, and not to Covetousness, Psal. ... is the root of all Evil,
and so avoid or prevent ... For so long as those are predominant within us, no ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

Epistle Li. To Antonianus About Cornelius and Novatian.
... vain deceit," [2471] we are to avoid those things which ... I shall bewail many of those
who have ... uncleanness, and evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which are ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle li to antonianus about.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... a little thing, but if we do not avoid it we ... us, though it may not be wrong for those
who know ... chief sources of sin are seven: Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... No, she died by accident, and he, to avoid being charged unjustly"innocent ... of which
they are not conspicuously guilty, and omit those which are ... Covetousness! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

The Way of Life and the Way of Death.
... Avoid not the persons, but the sentiments, of the ... for says He, "Thou shalt destroy
all those that speak ... towards his neighbour with an evil covetousness." [3393 ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the two ways.htm

Letter cxxvi. (AD 411. )
... incursion of barbarians might occur, to avoid which it ... charge, therefore, of most
base covetousness be brought no ... engagement, and we justly abhor those who are ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxvi a d 411.htm

How Herod Made War with the King of Arabia, and after they had ...
... circumstances; but since we cannot avoid fighting, and ... affronted us have arisen from
covetousness and envy ... being very desirous to revenge those unjust actions ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how herod made.htm