Covetousness and Greed
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Covetousness and greed are closely related concepts in the Bible, often addressed together as they both pertain to an excessive desire for material possessions or wealth. These attitudes are considered sinful and contrary to the teachings of Scripture, which emphasize contentment, generosity, and trust in God's provision.

Definition and Nature

Covetousness is the intense desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. It is an inward longing that can lead to various outward sins. Greed, on the other hand, is an insatiable desire for more, often manifesting as a pursuit of wealth or material gain at the expense of ethical or spiritual values. Both are rooted in a lack of contentment and a misplaced trust in material possessions rather than in God.

Biblical References

The Bible addresses covetousness and greed in both the Old and New Testaments, warning against their destructive nature. The Tenth Commandment explicitly forbids coveting: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment highlights the internal nature of covetousness, which can lead to other sins such as theft, adultery, and dishonesty.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against greed 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 emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in spiritual richness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses covetousness and greed, equating them with idolatry. In Colossians 3:5, he writes, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . This passage underscores the idea that greed places material desires above God, effectively making them idols.

Consequences and Warnings

The Bible provides numerous examples of the consequences of covetousness and greed. Achan's covetousness led to Israel's defeat at Ai and his own destruction (Joshua 7). King Ahab's greed for Naboth's vineyard resulted in Naboth's murder and brought divine judgment upon Ahab's house (1 Kings 21).

In the New Testament, the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21) illustrates the futility of storing up earthly wealth without being "rich toward God." The rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus (Matthew 19:16-22) demonstrates how attachment to wealth can hinder one's relationship with God.

Exhortations to Contentment and Generosity

Scripture encourages believers to cultivate contentment and generosity as antidotes to covetousness and greed. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "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 reassures believers of God's constant presence and provision, encouraging trust in Him rather than in material wealth.

Furthermore, 1 Timothy 6:6-10 highlights the value of godliness with contentment, warning that "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil" . Believers are urged to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, rather than wealth.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not condemn wealth itself, it consistently warns against the dangers of covetousness and greed. These attitudes can lead to spiritual ruin and hinder one's relationship with God. Believers are called to trust in God's provision, practice contentment, and demonstrate generosity, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives.
Subtopics

Covetousness

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 Idolatry

Covetousness is Inconsistent in Saints

Covetousness is Inconsistent: Specially in Ministers

Covetousness is Never Satisfied

Covetousness is the Root of all Evil

Covetousness is Vanity

Covetousness: A Characteristic of the Slothful

Covetousness: A Characteristic of the Wicked

Covetousness: Abhorred by God

Covetousness: Achan

Covetousness: Achan, in Hiding the Treasure

Covetousness: Ahab

Covetousness: Ahab, in Desiring Naboth's Vineyard

Covetousness: Ananias

Covetousness: Avoid Those Guilty of

Covetousness: Babylon

Covetousness: Balaam

Covetousness: Balaam, in Loving the Wages of Unrighteousness

Covetousness: Beware of

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

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: Felix

Covetousness: Festus, in Hoping for a Bribe from Paul

Covetousness: Forbidden

Covetousness: Gehazi

Covetousness: Gehazi, in Taking a Gift from Naaman

Covetousness: General Scriptures Concerning

Covetousness: Hated by Saints

Covetousness: Jewish People

Covetousness: Judas

Covetousness: Judas, in Betraying Jesus for Twenty Pieces of Silver

Covetousness: Laban

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 Lying

Covetousness: Leads to Misery

Covetousness: Leads to Murder

Covetousness: Leads to Poverty

Covetousness: Leads to Theft

Covetousness: Lot, in Choosing the Plain of the Jordan

Covetousness: Money-Changers in the Temple

Covetousness: Nobles of the Jews

Covetousness: Pharisees

Covetousness: Pray Against

Covetousness: Punishment of

Covetousness: Reward of Those Who Hate

Covetousness: Samuel's Sons

Covetousness: Samuel's Sons, in Taking Bribes

Covetousness: Saul

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 Pharisees

Covetousness: The Rich Fool

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

Covetousness: Young Man

Related Terms

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)

Entice (15 Occurrences)

Covets (2 Occurrences)

Seduce (8 Occurrences)

Sinning (59 Occurrences)

Unable (102 Occurrences)

Covetousness and Discontent
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