What Does the Bible Say About Covetousness — Meaning Explained

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.'