What Does the Bible Say About Covetousness — In Biblical Context
The tenth commandment forbids coveting, and the New Testament identifies covetousness as idolatry and a root of all evil.
The tenth commandment forbids coveting, and the New Testament identifies covetousness as idolatry and a root of all evil.
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." — Exodus 20:17 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The Ten Commandments conclude with 'Thou shalt not covet' (Exodus 20:17), making desire itself a moral issue. Covetousness is wanting what belongs to another — their spouse, possessions, success, or status. Jesus warned, 'Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth' (Luke 12:15). He then told the parable of the rich fool who stored up treasures but was not rich toward God. Colossians 3:5 calls covetousness 'idolatry' because it places created things above the Creator. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, 'The love of money is the root of all evil.' Hebrews 13:5 prescribes the cure: 'Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Exodus 20:17, sits inside Exodus 20. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."
Supporting Passages
"Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have."
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