Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through social media, a knot of envy tightening in your stomach? You see a friend’s vacation photos, a colleague’s new car, or a family’s picture-perfect home, and a quiet, nagging thought whispers, “I wish I had that.” That feeling, that deep, yearning desire for something that isn’t yours, is something we all wrestle with. It’s a very human experience, but it’s also something the Bible has a lot to say about. If you’ve ever wondered, what is covetousness in the Bible, you’re asking a question that gets to the very core of our relationship with God and the world around us.
Covetousness isn’t just about wanting nice things. It’s a matter of the heart. It’s a powerful desire that can subtly pull our focus away from God and onto worldly possessions, statuses, and relationships that belong to others.
Understanding this topic is incredibly important for anyone trying to walk a path of faith. It helps us diagnose our own hearts and find true freedom in what God has already given us.
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Key Takeaways
- Covetousness is an intense, unlawful desire for something that belongs to someone else. It’s not just wanting a similar item; it’s the yearning for their specific possession, position, or person.
- The Bible explicitly forbids covetousness in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:17). This shows its foundational importance in God’s moral law.
- Jesus identified covetousness as a serious heart issue. In Luke 12:15, He warns, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
- The Apostle Paul links covetousness directly to idolatry (Colossians 3:5). When we covet, we are essentially placing a worldly desire in the place that only God should occupy in our hearts.
- The antidote to covetousness is contentment and gratitude. The key to overcoming this sin is shifting our focus from what we lack to what God has graciously provided.
What Does the Bible Actually Say About Covetousness?
To truly grasp the biblical view of covetousness, we have to look at how the concept unfolds from the Old Testament to the New Testament. It’s not just a passing mention; it’s a consistent theme that warns of a dangerous spiritual condition. God’s Word provides a clear and unwavering perspective on this internal struggle.
How Is Covetousness Defined in the Old Testament?
The most direct and foundational statement against covetousness comes from the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This is where God lays out the core principles for His people to live by.
The Tenth Commandment is crystal clear:
“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, NIV)
This commandment is unique. While the others deal with outward actions like murder, theft, and adultery, this one deals with an internal desire. It addresses the very thought process that often leads to those other sins. God isn’t just concerned with our actions; He is deeply concerned with the state of our hearts.
To covet your neighbor’s house, wife, or possessions is to look at their blessings and feel a resentful longing. It’s a desire rooted in the belief that what God has given you is not enough. This desire breeds dissatisfaction and can ultimately poison your relationship with both your neighbor and with God.
How Did Jesus Talk About Covetousness and Greed?
Jesus, in His teachings, often took Old Testament laws and revealed their deeper, heart-level meaning. He did exactly this with covetousness, frequently warning His followers about the dangers of greed and materialism.
One of His most direct warnings is found in the Gospel of Luke.
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.” (Luke 12:15, NIV)
Here, Jesus tells us to be vigilant, to actively watch over our own hearts. He knew how easily greed could take root. To illustrate His point, He immediately told the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21). This was a man whose land produced an abundant crop. Instead of being grateful or generous, his first thought was, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.”
He decided to build bigger barns to store his wealth for himself, thinking he could “take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God called him a fool, saying, “This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”
Jesus concludes the parable with a powerful statement: “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” The man’s sin wasn’t his wealth; it was his covetous heart and his belief that his life and security were found in his possessions rather than in God.
What Did the Apostles Teach About the Dangers of Coveting?
The apostles, who carried on Jesus’ teachings, continued to warn the early church about the spiritual poison of covetousness. They understood it as a fundamental threat to a person’s faith.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, makes a shocking and profound connection.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5, NIV)
Paul doesn’t just say greed is bad; he says it is idolatry. This is an incredibly strong statement. Idolatry is the sin of worshiping something or someone other than the one true God. When we allow covetousness to rule our hearts, the object of our desire—whether it’s money, status, a relationship, or a possession—becomes our idol. It’s what we serve, what we think about, and what we believe will bring us satisfaction. We are, in effect, bowing down to a false god.
The author of Hebrews also provides both a warning and the solution.
“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.’” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)
This verse beautifully contrasts the sin with its remedy. The command is to stay away from the “love of money,” another term for greed. The solution is to “be content with what you have.” And the reason we can be content is based on the ultimate promise of God: His constant presence. True security and wealth are found not in a bank account, but in the unwavering faithfulness of our Creator.
Why is Covetousness Considered Such a Serious Sin?
In a world that constantly encourages us to want more, the biblical stance against covetousness can seem almost extreme. Why is a simple desire considered so dangerous? The Bible reveals that coveting isn’t a minor flaw; it’s a symptom of a deep spiritual problem that strikes at the heart of our faith.
How Does Covetousness Relate to Idolatry?
As Paul stated in Colossians 3:5, covetousness is idolatry. This is the core reason it is so spiritually dangerous. Let’s break that down.
- It Misplaces Our Worship: God designed us to worship Him. Our hearts have a throne, and He is the only one meant to sit on it. When we covet, we are effectively dethroning God and placing an object, a person, or a lifestyle on that throne. Our thoughts, energy, and emotions begin to revolve around that idol.
- It Questions God’s Goodness: At its root, covetousness whispers a lie about God. It says, “God is holding out on you. He hasn’t given you what you truly need to be happy. His provision isn’t enough.” This directly contradicts the character of God as a good and generous Father.
- It Seeks Fulfillment in Creation, Not the Creator: True, lasting joy and satisfaction can only be found in a relationship with God. Covetousness is the futile attempt to find that fulfillment in created things. It’s like trying to quench your thirst by drinking salt water; it will only make you thirstier.
When we understand covetousness as a form of worship directed at the wrong thing, we can see why the Bible takes it so seriously. It’s a fundamental betrayal of the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
What is the Difference Between Coveting and Having Ambition?
This is a fantastic and important question. God is not against hard work, goals, or the desire to improve one’s situation. The Bible is filled with encouragement to be diligent, to use our talents, and to provide for our families. So where is the line between godly ambition and sinful covetousness?
The difference lies in the object and motive of our desire.
| Godly Ambition | Sinful Covetousness |
|---|---|
| Focuses on Stewardship: Wants to develop and use God-given talents and resources for His glory and the good of others. | Focuses on Possession: Wants what someone else has, specifically their item, their status, their life. |
| Motive is Service: Asks, “How can I better serve God and my family with what I can achieve or build?” | Motive is Self-Gratification: Asks, “How can I get that thing to make me feel happy, secure, or important?” |
| Rooted in Trust: Trusts God’s timing and provision, working diligently within His will. | Rooted in Envy: Feels resentful and dissatisfied with God’s provision. |
| Produces Gratitude: Is thankful for opportunities and progress, acknowledging God as the source. | Produces Discontent: Is never satisfied, because the desire is always fixed on what is lacking. |
It’s perfectly fine to see a successful person and be inspired to work hard. It crosses into covetousness when you stop being inspired by their work ethic and start obsessing over their specific car, their specific house, or their specific spouse, feeling that you deserve it more.
Can Coveting Lead to Other Sins?
Absolutely. The Tenth Commandment is strategically placed at the end for a reason. Many theologians see it as the “gateway sin” that gives birth to the actions forbidden in the other commandments.
Think about it:
- Coveting your neighbor’s property can lead to theft (Eighth Commandment).
- Coveting your neighbor’s spouse can lead to adultery (Seventh Commandment).
- Coveting someone’s reputation or success could lead you to lie about them or bear false witness (Ninth Commandment).
- In extreme cases, as with King David coveting Bathsheba, it can even lead to murder (Sixth Commandment). His initial covetous look led to adultery, deceit, and ultimately, the murder of Uriah.
James 1:14-15 gives us a perfect picture of this progression: “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Covetousness is that initial “evil desire” that, if nurtured, conceives and gives birth to a whole host of other destructive sins.
What Are Some Practical Examples of Covetousness in Everyday Life?
It’s easy to read the biblical warnings and think of extreme examples like a king stealing a man’s wife. But covetousness is far more subtle and common. It weaves its way into our modern lives in ways we might not even recognize. Being aware of these everyday traps is the first step to guarding our hearts.
Is Scrolling Through Social Media a Form of Coveting?
Social media is not inherently evil, but it can be a powerful engine for covetousness. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are essentially curated highlight reels of other people’s lives. We are constantly exposed to:
- Perfectly angled vacation photos.
- Joyful family portraits where everyone is smiling.
- Announcements of promotions, new homes, and expensive purchases.
- Images of physical fitness and beauty that are often unattainable.
When we consume this endless stream of curated perfection, it is incredibly easy to start comparing our ordinary, messy, real lives to someone else’s highlight reel. That comparison is the fertile soil where covetousness grows. We start wanting their vacation, their family dynamic, their body, or their success. The discontentment can build so subtly that we just feel vaguely unhappy without realizing we’ve spent an hour coveting the lives of others.
How Can ‘Keeping Up with the Joneses’ Be a Trap of Covetousness?
This classic phrase describes the pressure to match the lifestyle and possessions of our neighbors and peers. It’s a social and cultural trap that is entirely built on covetousness.
It starts when a neighbor gets a new SUV. Suddenly, your reliable sedan feels old and inadequate. You begin to fixate on getting a similar car, not necessarily out of need, but out of a desire to maintain a certain status. The same cycle applies to home renovations, lawn care, designer clothes, and even the schools our children attend.
This trap is exhausting because the finish line always moves. Once you’ve “caught up” with the Joneses, the Smiths down the street will get something new, and the cycle of desire and dissatisfaction begins all over again. It’s a treadmill of coveting that promises happiness but only delivers anxiety and debt.
What About Coveting Someone Else’s Talents or Spiritual Gifts?
Covetousness isn’t limited to material things. Some of its most subtle and spiritually damaging forms involve coveting the intangible qualities or blessings of others.
Have you ever listened to someone pray eloquently and thought, “I wish I could pray like that,” with a tinge of envy? Or perhaps you’ve seen someone with a gift for hospitality or leadership and felt resentful of your own perceived shortcomings.
This is coveting spiritual gifts. We are desiring a blessing God has given to someone else, while simultaneously devaluing the unique gifts and purpose He has given to us. The Apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 12, explaining that the body of Christ has many different parts, each with its own vital function. To covet another’s gift is like the hand saying to the eye, “I wish I was you.” It denies God’s wisdom in creating us exactly as we are, for the specific purpose He has for us.
How Can a Christian Fight Against the Sin of Covetousness?
Recognizing the danger of covetousness is one thing; actively fighting it is another. Thankfully, the Bible doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it gives us the cure. Overcoming covetousness is not about willpower alone. It’s about a radical reorientation of the heart, powered by God’s grace.
What is the Role of Gratitude in Overcoming Greed?
Gratitude is the single most powerful weapon against covetousness. The two feelings cannot coexist. A heart full of thanks has no room for resentful longing. Covetousness thrives on focusing on what you don’t have, while gratitude thrives on focusing on what you do have.
When you feel the pull of envy, the quickest way to fight back is to intentionally start thanking God. Don’t just think general thoughts. Be specific. Thank Him for the roof over your head, for the food in your pantry, for the people in your life, for your health, and most importantly, for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
A consistent practice of gratitude retrains your brain and your spirit. It shifts your default perspective from lack to abundance, from dissatisfaction to contentment. As you practice cultivating a heart of gratitude, you begin to see the world through the lens of God’s immense generosity.
How Does Focusing on God’s Promises Help Us Avoid Coveting?
As we saw in Hebrews 13:5, the reason we can be content is because of God’s ultimate promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” This is the bedrock of our security.
Covetousness is often fueled by fear and insecurity. We fear we won’t have enough. We fear we aren’t important enough. We covet things we believe will give us security or significance.
But when we truly rest in God’s promises, those fears lose their power.
- If we believe God is our Provider (Philippians 4:19), we don’t need to anxiously covet our neighbor’s wealth.
- If we believe our identity is secure as a child of God (John 1:12), we don’t need to covet someone else’s status or popularity.
- If we believe God is always with us (Matthew 28:20), we don’t need to covet someone else’s relationships to feel less alone.
Meditating on God’s promises replaces the lies of covetousness with the truth of our position in Christ. Our value isn’t in what we own; it’s in who owns us.
What Practical Steps Can We Take to Cultivate Contentment?
Fighting covetousness requires intentional, daily choices. It’s a spiritual discipline, like prayer or Bible study. Here are some practical steps you can take to guard your heart and grow in contentment.
- Practice Intentional Generosity: The act of giving is a powerful antidote to greed. When you give away your money, your time, or your possessions, you are actively declaring that these things do not control you. Generosity breaks the grip of materialism on your heart. Make it a habit to give cheerfully and regularly.
- Limit Your Exposure to Triggers: If you know that scrolling through Instagram makes you feel envious, set limits on it. If walking through the mall sparks an unhealthy desire for things you don’t need, find other ways to spend your free time. This isn’t about legalism; it’s about wisdom. Protect your heart by avoiding situations that you know will lead you into temptation.
- Pray for a Content Heart: Be honest with God. Tell Him you are struggling with covetousness. Ask Him to remove the desire for what others have and to replace it with a deep, abiding satisfaction in Him alone. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12). Contentment is something that can be learned, and prayer is our greatest tool in that learning process.
- Celebrate Others’ Blessings: When you see a friend receive a promotion or a blessing, make a conscious choice to be happy for them. Pray for them and thank God for His goodness to them. This act of celebrating others starves envy and replaces it with love. It aligns your heart with God’s heart, who delights in blessing His children.
A Final Thought on Finding True Treasure
At the end of the day, the battle against covetousness is a battle for what we treasure most. It forces us to ask the ultimate question: Where are we seeking our life, our joy, and our security?
The world will always offer us a new idol, a new possession, or a new status that promises to satisfy the longing in our souls. But it’s a false promise. These things can never deliver, because our hearts were made for something more. They were made for God.
Jesus said it best: “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… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
May we be people who reject the empty promises of covetousness and instead invest our hearts in the one true Treasure who will never fade, rust, or be taken away: Jesus Christ himself. In Him, and in Him alone, we find a wealth that truly satisfies.
Frequently Asked Questions – What Is Covetousness in the Bible
What is the biblical solution to combating covetousness?
The Bible teaches that contentment and generosity are the antidotes to covetousness. Being thankful for what we have, trusting God to provide, and giving to others help break the power of greed and bring lasting joy.
In what ways can covetousness lead to other sins?
Covetousness can lead to other sins such as lying, stealing, or even murder, as seen in biblical stories like Achan’s theft and King Ahab’s greed for Naboth’s vineyard. It begins with a desire that can grow into harmful actions.
How does the Tenth Commandment address covetousness?
The Tenth Commandment in Exodus 20:17 instructs us not to covet our neighbor’s possessions. It emphasizes that our inner thoughts and desires are just as important as our actions and teaches us to be content with what God has given us.
Why does the Bible consider covetousness a sin of the heart?
Because covetousness stems from inner desires and wants, it is a sin of the heart. Jesus teaches that sin begins inside us, and covetousness can lead to actions like lying or stealing if not addressed.
What does covetousness mean in the Bible?
Covetousness in the Bible refers to a strong, unhealthy desire for something that does not belong to us. It is a selfish want that can fill our thoughts and lead to feelings of unhappiness with what we have.
