Covetousness is therefore, a sin with a very wide range. If it is the desire for money, it leads to theft. If it is the desire for prestige, it leads to evil ambition. If it is the desire for power, it leads to sadistic tyranny. If it is the desire for a person, it leads to sexual sin.
Covetousness – the evil desire for something belonging to another – is one of the most deeply rooted emotions in the human heart. The Apostle Paul, who as a Pharisee could speak of his faultless outward observance of God’s Law (Philippians 3:6), is finally exposed as a sinner by the command, “You shall not covet” (see Romans 7:7-8). He could refrain from stealing but he could not of himself refrain from coveting.
Trusting God, 1988, p. 64. Used by permission of NavPress – www.navpress.com. All rights reserved. Get this book!
Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority. Covetousness makes us the slaves of the devil.
Covetousness is styled “the lust of the eye,” (1 Jn. 2:16); that is, an inward inordinate desire arising from the sight of such and such a thing, (Josh. 7:21). Many things may be seen which are not desired, but if desired, and that inordinately, there is covetousness.
Of Rules to Find Out Covetousness, sec. 57.
If upon the obtaining of the first desire, a man remain unsatisfied, and his desire be more and more enlarged, he hath a covetous heart.
Of Rules to Find Out Covetousness, sec. 57.
He is much happier that is always content, though he has ever so little, than he that is always coveting, though he has ever so much.
It is commonly said that covetousness is one of the reigning sins of old age. How strange that it should be so! Especially considering what they have seen, and known, and it may be, felt of the emptiness and uncertainty of riches. They have witnessed how often they make themselves wings. What! And not yet convinced! What! Almost at the end of thy journey, and yet loading thyself with thick clay! Think of the time of day. It is almost night; even sun-set. And art thou unmindful of the grave? The body is bending downwards, let the heart be upwards.
A Puritan Golden Treasury, compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 69.
In our wealthy and materialistic society, Christians often tend to trivialize covetousness, but Paul calls it idolatry, and lists it as one of a number of sins that are bringing the wrath of God “upon the sons of disobedience” (Colossians 3:5-6). Concerning the love (or coveting) of money, Paul told Timothy that it was a “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). John was speaking of covetousness when he wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). “Do not be deceived,” Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. No covetous person “will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) (Jim Elliff and Daryl Wingerd).
Restoring Those Who Fall, Christian Communicators, 2006, p. 12, www.CCWtoday.org. Used by Permission.
If having more would make us happy, we would never need the Tenth Commandment. It is written for unhappy people!
Keep Believing Ministries, The Sin No One Will Admit, http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1992-08-16-The-Sin-No-One-Will-Admit.
Coveting is nothing more or less than an attempt to improve upon God. The covetous man moans and groans because he believes that he has been treated unfairly. When all the goodies were passed out, he got nothing but crumbs… The covetous man doubts God’s wisdom, God’s goodness, God’s justice, God’s timing and ultimately God’s love. Coveting is a terrible sin because it is a surreptitious attack on God Himself. Those who covet are saying, “God, you haven’t taken care of me.” They are blaming God for His failure to meet their needs.
Keep Believing Ministries, The Sin No One Will Admit, http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1992-08-16-The-Sin-No-One-Will-Admit.
You can’t be content and covet at the same time.
Keep Believing Ministries, The Sin No One Will Admit, http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1992-08-16-The-Sin-No-One-Will-Admit.
[How to Overcome Coveting]:
1. Guard your heart. This means pay attention to your desires.
2. Become a great giver… How do you overcome a covetous spirit? You give your way out of it.
3. Ask God to give you a grateful heart.
4. Refocus your life on Jesus Christ. Nothing human can cure covetousness; only an infusion of the supernatural power of Christ can make a lasting difference… Nothing will expel a coveting spirit except the power of a brand-new affection – a new love for Jesus Christ (Mt. 6:33).
Keep Believing Ministries, The Sin No One Will Admit, http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1992-08-16-The-Sin-No-One-Will-Admit.
A ship may be overladen with silver, even unto sinking, and yet space enough be left to hold ten times more. So a covetous man, though he have enough to sink him, yet never hath he enough to satisfy him…a circle cannot fill a triangle, so neither can the whole world the heart of man; a man may as easily fill a chest with grace, as the heart with gold.
A Puritan Golden Treasury, compiled by I.D.E. Thomas, by permission of Banner of Truth, Carlisle, PA. 2000, p. 67.
A desire for a good thing becomes a desire for a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing.
Sermon from James 1:19-20.
