Topical Encyclopedia Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for the possessions of others, is consistently condemned in the Bible. It is considered a sin that leads to various forms of moral and spiritual decay. The punishment for covetousness is both temporal and eternal, as outlined in various scriptural passages.Old Testament In the Old Testament, covetousness is explicitly forbidden in the Ten Commandments: "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). The consequences of covetousness are illustrated in the account of Achan, who coveted and took forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho. His sin led to Israel's defeat at Ai and resulted in his execution along with his family (Joshua 7:20-25). The prophet Micah warns of the punishment for covetousness, stating, "Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning light they carry it out because it is in their power to do so. They covet fields and seize them; they take houses and deprive others of them. Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am planning against this family a disaster from which you cannot free your necks. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity'" (Micah 2:1-3). New Testament In the New Testament, covetousness is equated with idolatry and is seen as a barrier to inheriting the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul writes, "For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—that is, an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5). The severity of this sin is further emphasized in Colossians 3:5-6, where Paul instructs believers to "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" . Jesus Himself warns against covetousness in the parable of the rich fool, who hoarded wealth without regard for God. The man’s life was demanded of him that very night, illustrating the futility and danger of greed (Luke 12:15-21). Eternal Consequences The eternal consequences of covetousness are grave. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists covetousness among the sins that will prevent individuals from inheriting the Kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" . The Book of Revelation also speaks to the ultimate punishment for those who persist in covetousness and other sins, stating that they will be excluded from the New Jerusalem: "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Covetousness, therefore, is not merely a personal failing but a sin with profound spiritual implications, leading to divine judgment both in this life and the next. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 20:15He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 57:17 Jeremiah 22:17-19 Micah 2:2,3 Library Whether the Punishment of Sacrilege Should be Pecuniary? Whether Covetousness is Opposed to Liberality? The Remedies against the Disease of Covetousness. Of the Deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, and Judas, which they ... A Sedition against Sabinus; and How Varus Brought the Authors of ... Instances to Show that the Disease of Covetousness is Threefold. Sin and the Penalty of Sin the Same. Whether any Other Special Sins, Besides Pride and Avarice, Should ... Whether Worldly Fear is Always Evil? The Second Day. 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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