Topical Bible: The Punishment of the Wicked: On Account of Their: Covetousness

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Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for wealth or possessions that belong to others, is consistently condemned in the Scriptures. It is seen as a root of various other sins and a direct violation of God's commandments. The punishment of the wicked for their covetousness is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, illustrating the moral and spiritual consequences of this sin.

Biblical Condemnation of Covetousness

The Tenth Commandment explicitly forbids covetousness: "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). This commandment highlights the seriousness with which God views the sin of covetousness, as it disrupts the social and spiritual order He has established.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against covetousness, emphasizing that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). The Apostle Paul further identifies covetousness as idolatry, equating the desire for material wealth with the worship of false gods (Colossians 3:5).

Consequences and Punishment

The Bible provides numerous examples of the punishment that befalls those who indulge in covetousness. Achan's account in the Book of Joshua serves as a stark warning. Achan coveted and took forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai and his own execution (Joshua 7:20-25).

In the New Testament, the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 illustrates the severe consequences of covetousness and deceit. Their desire to appear generous while secretly withholding part of their wealth resulted in their sudden deaths, serving as a sobering reminder of God's judgment.

The Apostle Paul warns that covetous individuals will not inherit the kingdom of God, placing them alongside the immoral and idolaters (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). This underscores the eternal ramifications of unchecked covetousness.

Spiritual Implications

Covetousness is not merely a social or ethical issue but a spiritual one. It reveals a heart that is not content with God's provision and is often accompanied by a lack of trust in His sovereignty. Hebrews 13:5 exhorts 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.'"

The punishment of the wicked for their covetousness serves as a divine reminder of the need for repentance and the pursuit of righteousness. It calls believers to examine their own hearts, to seek contentment in God's provision, and to lay up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 57:17
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 51:13
O you that dwell on many waters, abundant in treasures, your end is come, and the measure of your covetousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Matt. xxvi. 17, 18
... the world did they become wicked, but on account of their ... so also the worthless deserve
twofold punishment, both because they became wicked, when they ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxi matt xxvi 17.htm

Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and Good ...
... this world, though in eternity they quite escape punishment. ... earthly and temporal
things on account of which ... offend men whose polluted and wicked life greatly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of the reasons for.htm

City of God
... Of Suicide Committed Through Fear of Punishment or Dishonor. ... Of the Ills Which Alone
the Wicked Fear, and ... the Roman Gods, Though Perishing on Account of Their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

How David, when He had Twice the Opportunity of Killing Saul did ...
... on the good what is suitable to them, and inflicts a deserved punishment on the
wicked. ... She also obtained the same honor partly on account of her beauty. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how david when.htm

The Disputes of the Faithful to be Settled by the Decisions of the ...
... a wicked action after one manner, and a wicked word after ... For the law did not allot
the same punishment to every ... of such persons is firm on account of their ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi the disputes of the.htm

Matt. xviii. 21
... to himself hath he added occasion of punishment, so that ... for his own sins he should
give account, but also ... And that wicked demon did not only slander Him, but ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxi matt xviii 21.htm

John iii. 17
... unbelief unless he had previously chosen always to be wicked. ... For since he made great
account of honor from ... more than he did of the punishment; ("Many," saith ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii john iii 17.htm

Ephesians v. 5, 6
... on the other hand, from the thought of punishment and hell ... so if your light shine,
the wicked being discovered ... for their neighbor, and take no account of others ...
/.../homily xviii ephesians v 5.htm

1 Thessalonians i. 10-Aug
... retribution of the just, the punishment of the wicked. ... These shall suffer punishment,
which he says in his ... despising all things here, on their account we are ...
/.../homily ii 1 thessalonians i.htm

Against those who Say that Demons Govern Human Affairs, and who ...
... to have gained their own salvation by the punishment of others ... God is not to blame,
who on this account was longsuffering ... as a reason why all the wicked are not ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i against those who.htm