Topical Encyclopedia Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions, is consistently portrayed in Scripture as incompatible with the life and character of a saint. The Bible provides numerous admonitions against covetousness, emphasizing its destructive nature and its inconsistency with a life devoted to God.Biblical Warnings Against Covetousness The Old Testament law explicitly forbids covetousness in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment highlights the comprehensive nature of covetousness, extending beyond 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 underscores the futility of equating life’s value with material wealth, urging His followers to seek eternal treasures instead. Covetousness as Idolatry The Apostle Paul equates covetousness with idolatry, a serious charge that underscores its spiritual implications. In Colossians 3:5, 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" . By labeling covetousness as idolatry, Paul highlights how it diverts devotion from God to material things, thus violating the first commandment to have no other gods. Incompatibility with Christian Virtues Covetousness stands in stark contrast to the virtues that Christians are called to embody. The fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Covetousness, driven by selfish desire, undermines these virtues, particularly love and contentment. Hebrews 13:5 advises believers to "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'" . Contentment, rooted in trust in God’s provision, is the antidote to covetousness and a hallmark of a faithful life. The Example of Christ Jesus Christ, the ultimate example for believers, lived a life devoid of covetousness. Philippians 2:6-7 describes how Christ, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant" . Christ’s humility and selflessness serve as a model for believers, illustrating the call to prioritize spiritual riches over earthly gain. Practical Implications for Believers The call to reject covetousness has practical implications for the daily lives of believers. It encourages a lifestyle of generosity, as seen in 1 Timothy 6:18-19: "Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" . By focusing on generosity and good works, believers align themselves with God’s purposes and reflect His character to the world. In summary, covetousness is fundamentally inconsistent with the life of a saint, as it contradicts the principles of love, contentment, and devotion to God. The biblical exhortations against covetousness serve as a reminder for believers to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting in His provision and finding true fulfillment in Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ephesians 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 13:5 Library How Saints May Help the Devil Easter Wednesday Also Suited to Easter Tuesday. Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians. Sundry Exhortations. Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I. On Zeal The Tests of Love to God Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ... Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Matt. v. 1, 2 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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