Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions that belong to someone else, is a theme addressed with caution throughout the Bible. It is considered a sin that can lead to further moral and spiritual decay, and believers are repeatedly warned to guard against it.

The Tenth Commandment explicitly addresses covetousness: "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 breadth of covetousness, extending beyond material possessions to include relationships and status.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against covetousness in Luke 12:15: "Then He said to them, 'Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" Here, Jesus emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in spiritual richness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses covetousness, equating it with idolatry. In Colossians 3:5, he writes, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Paul’s admonition suggests that covetousness can become a form of worship, replacing God with material desires.

Furthermore, in 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul warns of the dangers associated with the love of money: "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 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 passage underscores the spiritual peril that accompanies covetousness, leading individuals away from faith and into personal turmoil.

The writer of Hebrews also advises believers to maintain a life free from the love of money, encouraging contentment with what they have: "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'" (Hebrews 13:5). This assurance of God’s presence and provision serves as a counter to the anxiety and dissatisfaction that often accompany covetousness.

In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), Jesus illustrates the futility of hoarding wealth without regard for God. The rich man, focused solely on his material abundance, fails to recognize the transient nature of life and the importance of being "rich toward God."

The Bible consistently presents covetousness as a destructive force that can lead individuals away from God and into a life of spiritual emptiness. Believers are encouraged to cultivate contentment, trust in God’s provision, and seek spiritual wealth over material gain.Luke 12:15
And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them ...
... Why did He add, "of all"? For He might have spoken thus, "Beware of covetousness."
It suited Him to add, "of all;" and to say, "Beware of all covetousness.". ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvii on the words.htm

The Remedies against the Disease of Covetousness.
... also fear the example of Gehazi, who for the sin of covetousness was chastised with
the punishment of perpetual leprosy. From this let us beware of acquiring ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxx the remedies against.htm

The Rich Fool.
... The lesson is not, Take heed and beware of Injustice; but, "Take heed and beware
of Covetousness." The warning is directed not against the sin of obtaining ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xix the rich fool.htm

Tenth Commandment
... Take heed and beware of covetousness.". ... How did he learn to beware of covetousness?
We honor men to-day if they are wealthy and covetous. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

part 2
... That is why in the ten commandments God incorporates "Thou shalt not covet." That
is why Christ said to His disciples, "Beware of covetousness." And tithing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

The Rich Fool
... 15. And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.16. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rich fool.htm

To the Disciples - Two Events and their Moral.
... [4323] Only here the negative injunction that preceded the Parable, beware of
covetousness,' is, when addressed to the disciples,' carried back to its positive ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii to the disciples.htm

On a Holy Martyr's Day
... Therefore, beware of spiritual covetousness, for the poorer thou art in thine own
eyes when thou comest to Him, the more acceptable art thou in His sight, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxi on a holy.htm

Sermon on a Martyr's Day
... Therefore, beware of spiritual covetousness; for the poorer thou art in thine own
eyes when thou comest to Him, the more acceptable art thou in His sight, and ...
/.../xxvii sermon on a martyrs.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... Use. Take heed and beware of covetousness.' Luke 12:15. It is a direct breach
of the tenth commandment. It is a moral vice, it infects ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

What is the difference between envy and jealousy, biblically speaking? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel? | GotQuestions.org

Covetousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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