Topical Bible: Covetousness: To be Mortified by Saints

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Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions that belong to others, is a sin that the Bible consistently warns against. It is a form of idolatry that places material desires above God, leading to spiritual decay and moral compromise. The mortification of covetousness is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, as believers are called to live in contentment and trust in God's provision.

Biblical Warnings Against Covetousness

The Bible explicitly condemns covetousness in both the Old and New Testaments. The Tenth Commandment states, "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 mere material possessions to include relationships and status.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against the dangers of covetousness in Luke 12:15: "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 a relationship with God.

Covetousness as Idolatry

The Apostle Paul equates covetousness with idolatry, underscoring its spiritual peril. In Colossians 3:5, he instructs believers, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . This passage calls Christians to actively mortify, or put to death, covetous desires as part of their sanctification process.

The Call to Contentment

Contentment is presented as the antidote to covetousness. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Paul writes, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these" . This perspective encourages believers to find satisfaction in God's provision and to focus on eternal rather than temporal treasures.

Practical Steps for Mortification

The mortification of covetousness involves both spiritual and practical disciplines. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart of gratitude, regularly giving thanks for God's blessings and provision. Prayer and meditation on Scripture help to align one's desires with God's will, fostering a spirit of contentment.

Generosity is another practical step in combating covetousness. By giving to others, believers demonstrate trust in God's provision and break the hold of materialism. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds the church, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver" .

Conclusion

The mortification of covetousness is an essential aspect of the Christian walk, requiring vigilance and intentionality. By focusing on contentment, gratitude, and generosity, believers can overcome the temptation of covetousness and live in the freedom and joy that comes from trusting in God's provision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

2 Timothy iii. 7-Jan
... strangers, if she have washed the Saints' feet, if ... art not, under this pretense,
possessed with covetousness; He who ... if, when the foot is mortified, the hand ...
/.../homily vii 2 timothy iii.htm

The Peace of God
All Saints' Day and Other Sermons. ... has, we must have too, or we shall be mortified,
envious ... the things around them do not satisfy their covetousness, their luxury ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxv the peace of.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 264]215; how much worked in them, [265]223; will own His saints, [266]229 ... Covetousness,
how punished here, [408]60; akin to sensuality, [409]61; blinds the soul ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... the Baptist; both of whom confined and mortified their loins ... The apostle too tells
us that covetousness is idolatry ... and rest in the sleep of the saints (and I ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... all, and the hearts of the saints continually declare ... whose desires were to be mortified
and solicitations ... labour from motives of simple covetousness, or with ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... told to celebrate the passover with loins girded and mortified. ... now return to the
subject of covetousness, which I ... 621] and although to the saints their very ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... then they will charge them with covetousness: and if ... the other may be as much mortified,
and have ... inward and spiritual fellowship of the saints, they become ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Psalm XL.
... Whither does worldly covetousness lead thee? ... off." If they were members of us, they
must be mortified. ... Nicene) doctrine concerning the merits of the saints.--C ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xl.htm

part ii
... of the passions "of pride, envy, covetousness, malice"do ... maladies and corruption;
whilst the saints, who despised their flesh, and mortified it by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... should always be reverenced by his people: yea his "name is to be feared for ever
and ever," and that not only in his church, and among his saints, but even in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm