Topical Bible: Covetousness is Never Satisfied

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Covetousness, often synonymous with greed or avarice, is a deep-seated desire for more than one needs or deserves, particularly in terms of material wealth or possessions. The Bible addresses this issue extensively, warning of its dangers and the insatiable nature of such desires.

Biblical References and Teachings

The concept that covetousness is never satisfied is rooted in several biblical passages. Ecclesiastes 5:10 states, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile." This verse highlights the futility of seeking fulfillment through material gain, as the desire for more can never truly be quenched.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against covetousness in Luke 12:15 : "Then He said to them, '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 satisfaction are not found in material abundance but in spiritual richness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses this issue in his epistles. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , he writes, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 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." Paul warns that the pursuit of wealth can lead to spiritual downfall and personal misery, as the craving for more leads individuals away from faith and contentment.

The Nature of Covetousness

Covetousness is inherently insatiable because it is rooted in a desire for what one does not have, rather than gratitude for what one possesses. Proverbs 27:20 states, "Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." This proverb draws a parallel between the insatiable nature of death and destruction and the endless desires of the human heart.

The Tenth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:17 , explicitly warns against coveting: "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." This commandment underscores the importance of contentment and the dangers of desiring what belongs to others.

Spiritual Implications

Covetousness is not merely a matter of material desire but reflects a deeper spiritual issue. It reveals a lack of trust in God's provision and a focus on earthly rather than heavenly treasures. Colossians 3:5 instructs believers to "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Here, greed is equated with idolatry, as it places material desires above God.

The insatiable nature of covetousness can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction and spiritual emptiness. Hebrews 13:5 offers a remedy: "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.'" This verse encourages believers to find contentment in God's presence and promises, rather than in the fleeting satisfaction of material wealth.

Practical Considerations

In practical terms, overcoming covetousness involves cultivating a heart of gratitude and contentment. Philippians 4:11-13 provides insight into the Apostle Paul's perspective: "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Paul's contentment, regardless of his material circumstances, serves as a model for believers seeking to overcome the insatiable nature of covetousness.

By focusing on spiritual growth and reliance on Christ, believers can find true satisfaction and fulfillment, breaking free from the endless cycle of desire that covetousness perpetuates.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 5:10
He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Habakkuk 2:5
Yes also, because he transgresses by wine, he is a proud man, neither keeps at home, who enlarges his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathers to him all nations, and heaps to him all people:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... wealth beyond all limits and is never satisfied; so that ... been young, and now am old;
never have I ... calls no other sin idolatry except covetousness, because this ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not steal.htm

2 Timothy iii. 7-Jan
... But when covetousness and selfishness and insolence meet together, what is wanting
to complete ... He who has a fever can never be satisfied, but with constant ...
/.../homily vii 2 timothy iii.htm

The Divine Hunger and Thirst
... that we shall never know, certainly never in this life ... It speaks of being satisfied;
of what alone can ... lusts and passions, greediness and covetousness of divers ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon ii the divine hunger.htm

Tenth Commandment
... Paul speaks of "the cloke of covetousness." Covetous men ... private, during the past
forty years, but never have I ... They were not satisfied with all that God had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver.' Ecclesiastes 5:10. ... Luther
says that he was never tempted to the sin of covetousness. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

1 Cor. v. 1, 2
... bolt: you do all in vain, whilst you shut up within covetousness, the worst ... interest
simple and compound, they who take from all men and are never satisfied? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xv 1 cor v.htm

Contentment
... Ill weeds grow apace; covetousness, discontent, and murmuring, are as natural to
man as thorns are to the soil ... That done, he will never be satisfied till he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/contentment.htm

On the Danger of Increasing Riches
... whether I have, in all that time, convinced fifty misers of covetousness. ... auri sacra
fames, "that execrable hunger after gold" which can never be satisfied. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 126 on the danger.htm

The Note of Accusation.
... man in the street is not satisfied, and never will be satisfied, with a ... Against the
carelessness, the covetousness, the debauchery and corruption of the ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter i the note of.htm

Psalm XLIX.
... while he that is held fast by covetousness is the ... He said not, "Have eaten and are
satisfied;" but, "have ... and the "iniquity of my heel" shall never compass me. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlix.htm