Topical Encyclopedia Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for possessions or wealth that belong to another, is a significant theme in the Bible, frequently warned against due to its potential to lead to further sin, including theft. The Tenth Commandment explicitly addresses this issue: "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 highlights the internal nature of covetousness, which, unlike other sins, begins in the heart and mind.The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how covetousness can lead to theft. In the account of Achan, found in the Book of Joshua, Achan's covetousness led him to steal items devoted to destruction, resulting in severe consequences for himself and the Israelites (Joshua 7:20-21). Achan confessed, "It is true, I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them." The New Testament continues to address the dangers of covetousness. In the Gospel of Luke, 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 warning is followed by the parable of the rich fool, which illustrates the futility and spiritual danger of hoarding wealth out of greed. The Apostle Paul also speaks against covetousness, equating it with idolatry. In his letter to the Colossians, he writes, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). By equating greed with idolatry, Paul underscores the spiritual peril of allowing covetous desires to take precedence over devotion to God. Furthermore, in his first letter to Timothy, Paul warns of the destructive nature of the love of money, a form of covetousness: "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" (1 Timothy 6:10). This passage highlights how covetousness can lead individuals away from their faith and into various forms of wrongdoing, including theft. The biblical narrative consistently portrays covetousness as a root cause of theft and other sins, urging believers to cultivate contentment and trust in God's provision. The exhortation in Hebrews serves as a guiding principle: "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 call to contentment is a safeguard against the destructive path of covetousness leading to theft. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joshua 7:21When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the middle of my tent, and the silver under it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Of the Source from which Covetousness Springs, and of the Evils of ... Tenth Commandment Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians. Matt. xxviii. 11-14. Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I. The Poor Man's Friend A Description of Heart-Purity Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ... The Spiritual Life Resources What is the difference between envy and jealousy, biblically speaking? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 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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