Coveting—wanting something that belongs to someone else—can sneak up on us more easily than we think. It’s a subtle form of jealousy that the Bible warns us against in both the Old and New Testaments. But what exactly does it mean to covet, and why is it such a big deal? Let’s explore what Scripture says about the dangers of coveting, how it affects our hearts and relationships, and how we can guard against this common temptation.
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What Does The Bible Say About Coveting
Exodus 20:17
“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 verse emphasizes the importance of contentment and warns against the desire to possess what belongs to others. It reminds us to appreciate and be grateful for what we have rather than coveting what others possess.
Coveting leads to jealousy, greed, and discontentment, which ultimately damage our relationships and hinder our spiritual growth. This verse encourages us to focus on our own blessings and nurture a heart of gratitude.
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of envy and covetousness. When we constantly compare ourselves to others and desire what they have, it leads to bitterness and dissatisfaction.
Coveting causes unrest in our hearts, deteriorates our physical and emotional well-being, and disrupts the harmony in our lives. A heart that is at peace, free from envy, brings about a sense of fulfillment and positively impacts our overall well-being.
Proverbs 23:17
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.”
This verse exhorts us not to envy those who lead sinful lives or appear to prosper in their wrongdoings. Instead, it reminds us to be passionate about living in reverence and obedience to the Lord.
Coveting what sinners possess can lead us astray from God’s plan and purpose for our lives. Our focus should be on seeking His guidance, following His commandments, and trusting in His provision rather than being envious of the temporary gains of those who do not follow Him.
Proverbs 28:22
“A stingy person is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.”
This verse warns against the danger of coveting wealth and pursuing it with a stingy and greedy mindset. It highlights the irony that those who are solely focused on accumulating riches may unknowingly invite poverty into their lives.
Coveting wealth can lead to unethical practices, dissatisfaction, and neglect of important virtues such as generosity and contentment. This verse reminds us to prioritize integrity, wise stewardship, and the pursuit of godly values rather than being consumed by the desire for material wealth.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
In this passage, Jesus warns against the futility of coveting earthly treasures that are temporary and vulnerable to loss. Instead, He encourages us to focus on storing up eternal treasures in heaven.
Coveting material possessions can distract us from seeking a deeper relationship with God and investing in the things that truly matter. Our hearts should be set on heavenly treasures, which are lasting, incorruptible, and bring true fulfillment.
Luke 12:15
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”
This verse cautions us against the dangers of greed and the mistaken belief that fulfillment comes from amassing wealth and possessions. It reminds us that true life and genuine happiness cannot be found in material abundance.
Covetousness blinds us to the true source of joy and contentment, which is found in our relationship with God and fulfilling His purposes for our lives. This verse encourages us to prioritize spiritual growth and generosity over the accumulation of worldly goods.
Romans 13:9
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
This verse highlights that the commandment against coveting serves as a reminder to love our neighbors as ourselves. Coveting what belongs to others goes against the principle of love and respect for our fellow human beings.
Covetousness leads to a mindset that views others as competitors or obstacles, undermining our ability to treat them with love, kindness, and compassion. This verse reiterates the importance of cultivating love and selflessness, which will naturally alleviate the desire to covet.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
These verses emphasize the value of godliness and contentment over the pursuit of material wealth. It reminds us that our primary focus should be on cultivating a godly character and being content with our basic needs being met.
Coveting wealth and possessions can lead to restlessness, dissatisfaction, and a loss of perspective. These verses encourage us to find contentment in God’s provision and prioritize spiritual growth rather than being consumed by the desire for worldly gain.
Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
This verse admonishes us to guard our hearts against the love of money and material possessions. It encourages contentment by reminding us of God’s faithfulness and promise to never abandon us.
When we are tempted to covet or seek security in worldly wealth, we are called to find our ultimate satisfaction and security in God’s presence and provision. This verse urges us to trust in His unfailing love and be content with what He has graciously given us.
Proverbs 11:28
“Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”
This verse serves as a warning against placing our trust and security in material wealth. It emphasizes that those who rely solely on their riches will eventually experience downfall, while the righteous, who trust in God, will flourish.
Coveting wealth can lead to a false sense of security and an overemphasis on worldly possessions. This verse reminds us of the importance of placing our trust in God and cultivating righteousness, which brings true stability and prosperity.
Proverbs 15:27
“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”
In this verse, greed and covetousness are depicted as destructive forces that can lead to the downfall of one’s household. It contrasts the ruin caused by greed with the blessings that come to those who reject bribes and live with integrity.
Coveting blinds us to the consequences of our actions and can drive us to make unjust decisions that harm not only ourselves but also those around us. This verse emphasizes the importance of integrity and the rejection of covetous attitudes and practices.
James 4:2-3
“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
These verses expose the destructive nature of covetousness by illustrating how it can lead to conflicts and even violence. It also reveals the importance of seeking God’s guidance and having right motives in our prayers.
Coveting distorts our desires and drives us to pursue selfish gain rather than what aligns with God’s will. These verses urge us to approach God with pure motives and seek His guidance, knowing that true fulfillment comes from aligning our desires with His purposes.
Proverbs 28:16
“A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.”
This verse contrasts a ruler who engages in covetous practices with one who abhors ill-gotten gain. It suggests that a leader who rejects covetousness will experience longevity in their reign and be respected.
Coveting wealth and power can lead to oppressive and unethical practices that harm others. This verse highlights the importance of leaders who prioritize integrity, fairness, and the well-being of their subjects over personal gain.
Luke 12:15-21
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”
In this passage, Jesus warns against the dangers of covetousness and the incorrect belief that life is defined by material abundance. He shares the parable of the rich fool to illustrate the folly of storing up possessions without being rich toward God.
Coveting wealth and possessions can blind us to the true meaning and purpose of life. This passage serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual richness, generosity, and a focus on God’s kingdom rather than being consumed by worldly desires.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
This verse highlights the futility of coveting wealth and the insatiable nature of the love for money. It challenges the belief that accumulating more and more wealth will bring satisfaction and purpose.
Covetousness leads to a never-ending pursuit of material gain, which ultimately fails to fulfill our deepest longings. This verse encourages us to find contentment in what we have and seek fulfillment in our relationship with God rather than the accumulation of wealth.
Proverbs 21:26
“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
In this verse, covetousness is contrasted with the generosity of the righteous. It highlights the selfish nature of coveting, which constantly desires more, and the selflessness of those who give generously without reservation.
Coveting leads to a mindset of hoarding and selfishness, while generosity reflects a heart that is focused on the needs of others. This verse encourages us to develop a spirit of generosity and open-handedness, which brings true joy and blesses those around us.
1 Corinthians 6:10
“nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This verse includes covetousness among the behaviors that will exclude individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the severity of harboring a covetous and greedy heart.
Coveting is contrary to the values of God’s kingdom, which prioritize selflessness, contentment, and love for others. This verse serves as a reminder to examine our hearts and align our desires with God’s purposes, understanding that covetousness is incompatible with His kingdom.
Psalm 37:16
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked.”
This verse highlights the supremacy of righteousness and contentment over material wealth. It emphasizes that it is better to have little and live righteously than to possess the wealth of the wicked.
Coveting can lead us down paths of compromise and wrongdoing in our pursuit of wealth, while righteousness brings lasting joy and fulfillment. This verse encourages us to value righteousness above worldly gain and trust in God’s provision rather than coveting what belongs to others.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
In this verse, Jesus highlights the impossibility of serving both God and wealth. It challenges the notion that we can pursue both earthly possessions and a wholehearted devotion to God.
Coveting often stems from a divided allegiance, where our desires become fixated on material gain rather than on our relationship with God. This verse urges us to choose God as our ultimate Master, recognizing that true fulfillment comes when we prioritize our devotion to Him over the pursuit of earthly riches.
Proverbs 22:1
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”
This verse highlights the superiority of having a good reputation and being held in high regard over amassing great wealth. It emphasizes the importance of character and integrity over covetousness.
Coveting wealth can lead to compromising one’s reputation and engaging in unethical practices. This verse encourages us to prioritize values that endure and bring honor rather than being consumed by the desire for material possessions.
1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
These verses caution against loving the things of the world, including the covetous desire for pleasure, material possessions, and self-glorification. It reinforces the temporary nature of worldly pursuits and the eternal significance of doing God’s will.
Coveting is rooted in worldly desires that are fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. These verses call us to align our hearts and priorities with God’s kingdom, recognizing that true fulfillment and eternal life are found in Him and obedience to His will.