Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for possessions or wealth, is a theme addressed throughout the Bible, with particular emphasis on its spiritual dangers and moral implications. The account of the rich young man, as recounted in the Synoptic Gospels, serves as a poignant illustration of covetousness and its potential to hinder one's relationship with God.

In the Gospel of Matthew 19:16-22 , a young man approaches Jesus, inquiring about the requirements for obtaining eternal life. He asks, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?" Jesus responds by highlighting the importance of keeping the commandments. The young man claims to have observed all these commandments and further asks, "What do I still lack?" Jesus then instructs him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." The young man, however, departs in sorrow because he possesses great wealth.

This narrative underscores the spiritual peril of covetousness, as the young man's attachment to his material wealth prevents him from fully committing to the path of discipleship. His inability to part with his possessions reveals a heart ensnared by covetousness, prioritizing earthly riches over heavenly treasures.

The Gospel of Mark 10:17-22 and Luke 18:18-23 offer parallel accounts, each emphasizing the same moral lesson. In Mark, Jesus, looking at the young man, "loved him" and reiterated the call to sell his possessions and follow Him. This detail highlights Jesus' compassion and the genuine opportunity for transformation that the young man ultimately rejects due to his covetous nature.

The broader biblical context further illuminates the dangers of covetousness. In the Ten Commandments, God explicitly commands, "You shall not covet" (Exodus 20:17), underscoring the importance of contentment and trust in God's provision. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, warns against covetousness, equating it with idolatry (Colossians 3:5) and urging believers to be free from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10).

The account of the rich young man serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how covetousness can obstruct one's spiritual journey. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts, to discern whether their desires align with God's will, and to prioritize eternal values over temporal wealth.Matthew 19:22
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

About the Young Man who Killed the Maiden.
... And the young man went and stood by her, saying: I have ... let each of you put off the
old man, and put ... Put away also from yourselves covetousness, and lying, and ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the young man who.htm

A Young Man's Best Counsellor
... tempters' speech in verses 11 to 14, and the 'bird' is the young man supposed to ...
What is true about 'covetousness,' as verse 19 tells, is true about all kinds ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a young mans best counsellor.htm

Internal Foes.
... the young. Let us see what the Bible says about covetousness:". "Mortify therefore
your members . . . covetousness, which is idolatry.". "No covetous man hath ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part ii internal foes.htm

Be not Deceived; God is not Mocked.
... when you grow old." The young man yields himself ... A man may think he has fathomed
its ... adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter ii be not deceived.htm

Sixth Commandment
... If all young men in this country who ... We can only read man's acts"what they ...
adulteries"fornications"murders "thefts"covetousness"wickedness"deceit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/sixth commandment.htm

Of the Excellence of Ghostly Song: and that it Neither Can be Said ...
... in this life it is wrought by many, forsooth by nearly all, that covetousness is
brought ... Alas the fire of desire has swallowed up the young man and maiden, the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iv of the excellence.htm

God's Training
... wholesome and blessed medicine for the soul of man. ... not for them"to see the young
who are ... conceit, the scheming, the fierceness, the covetousness which so ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon iv gods training.htm

John xxi. 15
... that, what thou sufferedst not when young, thou must ... becomest afraid and tremblest,
though no man punish thee ... we stay not our hand from covetousness, and check ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxviii john xxi 15.htm

The Flesh and the Spirit
... man runs wild for a few years, as young men are ... Too often, what happened to the man
in the ... worse than himself"hypocrisy, cant, cunning, covetousness, and all ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxiii the flesh and.htm

part 2
... Thou shalt not covet." That is why Christ said to His disciples, "Beware of
covetousness." And tithing ... Here is a young man who has just started housekeeping. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

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Covetousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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