Bible Verses About Covetousness

"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."

"And he said unto them, 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: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry."

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

"The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days."

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints."

"Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."

"He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness."

What does the Bible say about covetousness?

The tenth commandment — 'Thou shalt not covet' — addresses a sin of the heart that often goes unseen. Covetousness is the desire for what belongs to others, and Scripture warns it is the root of countless other sins. Key King James Version passages include Exodus 20:17, Luke 12:15, Hebrews 13:5. This page collects 10 KJV verses about covetousness, each quoted in full.

What is covetousness?

Covetousness is an intense desire for something that belongs to someone else — whether possessions, status, relationships, or opportunities. Scripture equates it with idolatry (Colossians 3:5) because it places desire for things above trust in God.

How can I overcome covetousness?

Practice gratitude, meditate on God's provision, focus on eternal treasures (Matthew 6:19-20), celebrate others' blessings, and ask God to transform your heart from discontentment to contentment (Psalm 119:36).