40 Powerful Bible Verses About Covetousness

Covetousness is a strong desire for what belongs to others, often leading to greed, envy, and dissatisfaction. The Bible warns believers against this destructive trait and encourages contentment and gratitude instead. Below are 40 powerful Bible verses about covetousness to help you understand its dangers and how to overcome it.

What is Covetousness?

Covetousness is a sinful craving for someone else’s possessions, status, or achievements. The Bible consistently condemns this attitude, reminding believers to trust in God’s provision and focus on eternal treasures rather than worldly wealth.

Examples of Covetousness in the Bible

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who fell into the trap of covetousness and suffered the consequences. Here are a few notable examples:

Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6) Eve coveted the forbidden fruit, desiring wisdom and knowledge beyond what God had given. Her covetousness led to sin, bringing death and suffering into the world.
Achan’s Greed (Joshua 7:20-21) Achan disobeyed God by taking spoils from Jericho, leading to Israel’s defeat in battle. His covetousness brought destruction upon himself and his family.
King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2-4) David coveted another man’s wife, Bathsheba, leading to adultery and murder. His actions had devastating consequences for his family and kingdom.
Judas Iscariot’s Betrayal (Matthew 26:14-16) Judas’ love for money led him to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. His covetousness ultimately resulted in his tragic end.
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10) This couple lied about their offering, desiring to keep part of the money while pretending to be generous. Their covetousness led to their untimely deaths.

Warning Against Covetousness

Scripture repeatedly warns believers to flee from covetousness:

It Leads to Spiritual Death (Ezekiel 33:31) – God condemns those who lust after gain while pretending to worship Him.
It Brings Unhappiness (Ecclesiastes 5:10) – “Whoever loves money never has enough.”
It Causes Strife (Proverbs 28:25) – “A greedy man stirs up conflict.”
It Hinders God’s Blessings (Malachi 3:8-10) – Greed leads to withholding from God.

40 Bible Verses About Covetousness

Here are 40 powerful Bible verses about covetousness that provide wisdom, guidance, and warning:

Exodus 20:17 – “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Luke 12:15 – “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”
1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Proverbs 21:26 – “All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.”
Ephesians 5:5 – “For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
James 4:2 – “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.”
Mark 7:22-23 – “Coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Proverbs 15:27 – “Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.”
Psalm 119:36 – “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.”
Proverbs 28:25 – “A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.”
Romans 7:7 – “Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'”
1 Corinthians 6:10 – “Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Proverbs 1:19 – “Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.”
Micah 2:2 – “They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.”
Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Proverbs 23:4-5 – “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.”
Ezekiel 33:31 – “And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.”
Job 31:24-25 – “If I have made gold my trust or called fine gold my confidence, if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant or because my hand had found much…”
Proverbs 27:20 – “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.”
Isaiah 56:11 – “The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all.”
Jeremiah 6:13 – “For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.”
Habakkuk 2:9 – “Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be safe from the reach of harm!”
Matthew 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
Luke 16:13 – “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Acts 20:33 – “I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.”
Romans 1:29 – “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice.”
2 Peter 2:3 – “And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.”
Proverbs 11:6 – “The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.”
Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
1 John 2:16 – “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Proverbs 28:16 – “A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.”
Ezekiel 22:12 – “In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit and make gain of your neighbors by extortion; but Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord God.”
Matthew 19:21-22 – “Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Luke 12:21 – “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
Philippians 4:11 – “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
1 Thessalonians 2:5 – “For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.”
Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

How to Overcome Covetousness

Here are few easy ways on how you can overcome covetousness:

Embrace Contentment: Philippians 4:11-12 reminds believers to be content in all circumstances.
Practice Generosity: Acts 20:35 emphasizes that “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Trust God’s Provision: Matthew 6:33 encourages seeking God’s kingdom first, trusting that all needs will be met.

Conclusion

Covetousness is a sin that can lead to destruction, broken relationships, and spiritual downfall. The Bible warns against it and calls believers to cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude. By meditating on these Bible verses about covetousness, we can guard our hearts and live according to God’s will.

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