• Colossians 3:5
    Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
     
  • Exodus 20:17
    "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."
     
  • 1 John 2:15-17
    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
     
  • Luke 12:15-21
    And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry."' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
     
  • Hebrews 13:5
    Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
     
  • 1 Timothy 6:5-10
    useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
     
  • Ephesians 5:5
    For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Covetousness


Resources

Covetousness

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

Covetousness is a deep, burning desire for something, often what belongs to another, marked by envy and greed. It drives individuals to sinful actions such as lying and stealing. This reflects a broader condition of uncontrolled desire across the nation, pushing people to extreme behaviors. In the story of Gehazi, the servant of …


Coveting and the Roots of Sin

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Wanting to possess things is not inherently wrong; God built that desire into us. He Himself, despite owning everything, earnestly desires children like Him, which is the ultimate aim of His plan. In its basic form, desire is not sinful. However, under the influence of human nature and the selfishness inspired by satan's world, …


Thou Shall Not Covet

Sermon by John O. Reid

Covetousness, as a profound violation of God's law, stands as a capstone commandment, revealing that to covet wrongly is to risk breaking all Ten Commandments. When one covets, idolatry emerges, placing the object of desire above God's clear law, allowing lust to dominate the mind and heart. This wrongful desire, originating in …


The Tenth Commandment

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Covetousness is an insatiable desire for worldly gain and lies at the heart of where most sin originates. The tenth emphasizes man's relationship to man.


Are All Forms of Gambling or Games of Chance Sin?

Bible Questions & Answers

Any activity that is based upon covetousness is sin. A Christian should not desire to increase his own wealth by depriving someone else.


Gambling: A Question of Motive

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

The addiction of gambling comes from the lure of effortless profit and the way of get, motivated by covetousness, which militates against contentment.


Parable of the Rich Fool

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Even if we have everything we could ever want or need, when we die, our goods will do nothing for us. Because of wealth, the fool believes he has no need of God.


Spiritual Satisfaction

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

The Parable of the Rich Fool illustrates that, when one has all the material possessions he could want, he may still not be rich toward God.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Covetousness