The Bible provides numerous warnings about the dangers of coveting riches and the troubles that often accompany such desires. The pursuit of wealth, when driven by covetousness, can lead to spiritual and moral pitfalls, as well as personal and communal strife.

Biblical Warnings Against Covetousness

The Tenth Commandment explicitly warns against coveting, which includes the desire for wealth that belongs to others: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment underscores the importance of contentment and the dangers of allowing desire for material possessions to dominate one's life.

Consequences of Coveting Riches

1. Spiritual Deception and Ruin: The Apostle Paul warns Timothy about the dangers of desiring wealth: "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10). This passage highlights how coveting riches can lead to spiritual deception and personal ruin.

2. Moral Compromise: The account of Achan in the Book of Joshua illustrates the severe consequences of coveting material wealth. Achan's desire for forbidden spoils led him to disobey God's command, resulting in his downfall and the suffering of the entire Israelite community (Joshua 7:20-25).

3. Family and Social Strife: Proverbs warns of the familial and social discord that can arise from covetousness: "He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live" (Proverbs 15:27). This proverb suggests that the pursuit of wealth through unjust means can lead to conflict and destruction within one's own family.

4. Loss of True Riches: Jesus teaches about the futility of storing up earthly treasures at the expense of heavenly ones: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20). This teaching emphasizes the transient nature of material wealth and the importance of seeking eternal riches.

Examples of Covetousness in Scripture

· The Rich Young Ruler: In the Gospels, a rich young man approaches Jesus, seeking eternal life. However, when Jesus instructs him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, the young man departs sorrowfully, unable to part with his wealth (Matthew 19:21-22). This account illustrates how covetousness can hinder one's relationship with God.

· Ananias and Sapphira: In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira's desire for wealth and recognition led them to lie about their donation to the apostles. Their deceit resulted in their sudden deaths, serving as a stark warning about the dangers of coveting wealth and the importance of honesty (Acts 5:1-10).

Encouragement to Seek Godly Contentment

The Bible encourages believers to find contentment in God's provision rather than in the pursuit of wealth. Paul writes, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it" (1 Timothy 6:6-7). This perspective encourages a focus on spiritual growth and reliance on God's sufficiency rather than material accumulation.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns against the covetous pursuit of riches, highlighting the spiritual, moral, and relational troubles that can ensue. Believers are encouraged to seek contentment in God's provision and to prioritize eternal treasures over temporal wealth.1 Timothy 6:10
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Letter of Mara, Son of Serapion.
... enervate thee, and thy mind turn to covet riches, which have no ... on which they are
intent, is abundance of riches. ... They look not at the vast wealth of eternity ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents a letter.htm

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... The prosperity we covet is more dangerous than the adversity we ... of the baleful effects
of power and greatness, riches and honor; but they were brought ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

Acts ii. 37
... Now if, even when we cast away our riches, we are ... Yet, they are the last to speak
so: but the men who ... then you might doubt: did I say, covet riches, "How shall ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vii acts ii 37.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 12, 13
... we may have, they say, may have [1046] our riches as a ... For they too rob those who
are poorer than themselves ... Let us instruct our mind not to covet greater things ...
/.../homily x 1 thessalonians v.htm

Rom. Iii. 18-Sep
... What then, if one were to bring a flame yet more ... And what ground hast thou to covet
glory in such ... For if they have the confidence of riches, they will not mind ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vii rom iii 18-sep.htm

The More Excellent Way
... We may covet knowledge, both of the word and of the ... aiming, not at ease, pleasure,
or riches; not at ... They may read useful history, pious and elegant poetry, or ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 89 the more excellent.htm

Thoughts Upon Striving to Enter at the Strait Gate.
... those Sins which otherwise will certainly bring us thither ... must be adorned withal,
before ever they can come ... to love their Persons; not to covet Riches when we ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon striving to enter.htm

Exhortation to Workers and Ministers
... Covet earnestly the best gifts. ... If God fills your heart with the riches of heaven,
then you can give ... a hungering for the good things of God, and they will come ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xxiii exhortation to workers.htm

Hebrews i. 8-Jun
... Dost thou seek riches? ... Covet earnestly this gift. ... "If ye have love one with another."
And again He saith to the Father, "Hereby shall they know that Thou hast ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iii hebrews i 8-jun.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... of this kind, that they exceedingly covet and desire ... become parties to the covenant
of grace, they pollute themselves ... of sins, according to the riches of his ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

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