Should We Be Concerned With Coveting?

The Bible is filled with stories of people who allowed coveting to destroy them. Achan, for instance, coveted something that didn’t belong to him, and he lost his life. Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord for thirty pieces of silver and ultimately took his own life.

In 1 Timothy we read, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (6:10 NLT)

Coveting is more than simply admiring something. It’s the mindset that says, “I’m going to get that, no matter what it costs me or anyone else.” It is an obsession with accumulation and possessions. Coveting can destroy us spiritually.

Colossians 3:5 warns us about covetousness, which is idolatry: “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world” (NLT).

Writing to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul said, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” (Ephesians 5:8 NLT).

Often, when the Bible tells us not to do one thing, it tells us to do another in its place. For instance, in Ephesians 4:28 we read, “If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need” (NLT).

In other words, “You who have stolen, stop stealing and instead do something productive so you can give to others.”

Coveting is a powerful and often misunderstood sin. It can cripple us spiritually and even destroy us. We must not underestimate it or leave it unchecked.