Topical Encyclopedia Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for possessions or wealth that belong to another, is explicitly forbidden in the Bible. This prohibition is rooted in the Ten Commandments, where God commands His people to refrain from coveting. The Berean Standard Bible provides a clear articulation of this commandment: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment underscores the importance of contentment and respect for the property and relationships of others.The New Testament continues to emphasize the prohibition against covetousness, linking it to idolatry and warning of its spiritual dangers. In Colossians 3:5 , the Apostle Paul instructs believers: "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Here, greed, synonymous with covetousness, is equated with idolatry, suggesting that an inordinate desire for material possessions can take the place of God in one's heart. Jesus Himself warned against covetousness, highlighting its potential to distract from spiritual priorities. In Luke 12:15 , He cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." This teaching emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in spiritual richness and a relationship with God. The Apostle Paul further warns against the dangers of covetousness in his letters to the early church. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , he writes, "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 highlights the spiritual peril associated with covetousness, as it can lead individuals away from faith and into moral and spiritual ruin. The Bible also provides positive exhortations to counteract covetousness, encouraging believers to cultivate contentment and trust in God's provision. 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 serves as a foundation for contentment, freeing believers from the grip of covetousness. In summary, covetousness is consistently portrayed in Scripture as a destructive force that is contrary to God's will for His people. It is forbidden because it leads to idolatry, disrupts relationships, and diverts attention from spiritual priorities. The biblical call is to cultivate contentment, trust in God's provision, and seek fulfillment in a relationship with Him rather than in material possessions. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 20:17You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Whether Covetousness is a Special Sin? Connection Between Covetousness and Idolatry. Certain Trades ... What are the Sins Forbidden in the Eighth Commandment? Forasmuch as Many Enrolled among the Clergy, Following ... On Sin and Its Kinds The Eleventh Breviate. Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Beg? The Eighth Commandment Whether the Mode and Order of the Temptation were Becoming? Whether Worldly Fear is Always Evil? Resources What does the Bible say about covetousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is "You shall not covet" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org How should a Christian respond to Hollywood? | 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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