Covetousness Defined

# 462 - Today's Living Word comes from Mr 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

Next on the list of “evil things,” is covetousness. The Greek word is a combination of two words which mean “to have more.” Covetousness is one's desire for having more or for what he has not“. As murder and adultery can be committed in the heart, so thievery can be committed in the heart through covetousness.

But covetousness is even more serious than that. Col 3:5 flat out states that “covetousness is idolatry.” In Zodhiates Study Bible we read that covetousness is the longing of the creature which has forsaken God (idolatry) to fill itself with the lower objects of nature. (materialism)
That hits the nail right on the head.

Now, it's not a sin to be rich or to have possessions, it's all about attitude toward material goods. I think it's summed up best in 1 Tim 6:17-19, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

The charge to the rich is to not be haughty, you know, “(MY barns, MY crops, MY money, MY soul) nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on the certainty of God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. The rich are to be rich in good works, in other words, God made them rich for a purpose, and that purpose is to be generous and ready to share.

Sharing our blessings is one way that we demonstrate the lavishness of the love of God through Christ. When motivated by faith in Christ, it is proof of our love for God. This is foundational to eternal life....faith motivated action. It's part of what James meant in his discussion about the relationship between faith and works in Jas 2:14.

“ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.


If we covet anything, let it be the Kingdom of God, “Seek first (Give precedence to) the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Mt 6:33)

No need to covet God will give you over and above what you really need.

I'm Duane Matz and that's Today's Living Word.