Coveting is not an innocent yearning or simple desire to possess or have something, coveting in a scriptural sense is an unholy desire that expresses itself in greed, envy, jealous lusts, entitlement and ingratitude. It is a grievous sin because it leads to the pursuit of self over all. Covetousness seeks to tear others down in an avarice ambition and self-promotion. It is a wanting that is not satisfied.
We can come to understand the sin of covetousness by looking at its opposite. The opposite attitude is characterized by a generous nature, a grateful heart, and a selfless desire. A person without a covetous nature is a humble hard-working person who is satisfied with the life God has given them. They seek self-improvement for godly purposes and accept the trials and tribulations of life in faith and gratitude. They are generous and compassionate to those in greater need than themselves and do not envy those with greater abundance.
It is possible to covet more than temporal possessions, a person can covet another person's fame, public respect, popular attention, their talents and appetites, even their spiritual gifts.
Not all desire for something one observes in the possession of another is covetousness. For example, a young person may observe the happy contentment and bountiful blessings of a long married couple surrounded by their children and grandchildren and desire to have such a life for themselves.
How can one know whether their desire for something they observe in another is a righteous desire or covetousness (unrighteous desire)?
There are generally two basic ways to judge, 1) Is your desire also God’s desire for you? 2) Are you seeking to acquire that desire in God’s way?
The greatest antidote to covetousness and all its attendant vices and sins, is to live a humble and grateful life oriented toward love of God and all men. What would our world look like without covetousness? What murder, or adultery would be committed without the vice of covetousness? What lie would be told or possession stolen? What deceit would be practiced? The 10th commandment may be last, but it is not least in the “Thou shalt nots.”
When you think of the commandment “Thou shalt not covet” your first thoughts are probably related to the unholy desires for money and the possessions of wealth. The sentiment is expressed in an oft quoted bible verse:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:11)
So let’s start our study of the 10th commandment with a discussion how the love of money is the root of all evil. It begins with the heart. It is not the money that is evil but the love of it.
Its Love of God that Saves us from the Love of Money:
Jesus taught: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)
The orientation of our hearts and desires toward the things of heaven over the things of this world is the only sure way to be rich in a Godly way. It isn’t that Christ doesn’t understand our need for temporal possessions, or has no desire for us to enjoy the blessings of prosperity, rather he said:
“If ye… know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11)
It is how we order our desires and actions that frees us from the corrupting influence of the love of money, and brings forth the abundant blessings of our Father in Heaven, both spiritual and temporal.
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
“And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
“For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
— Matthew 6:25-34
In this passage, Christ is not advocating a naïve idleness, but rather an ordered active seeking to establish righteousness in our lives. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added into you.” As we aligning our will with His, those thoughts and concerns we have over temporal needs, will not be worried preoccupations with the material world, but rather a peaceful assurance in the promises of wellbeing for all those who live life yoked with Christ.
The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil:
Where there is covetousness there is pride. Pride is a condition of the sinful heart, it trusts in the arm of flesh, it loves money over God. It is the universal sin. Notice the connections between pride, covetousness, and love of money in this passage from 1 Timothy:
“He is PROUD, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh ENVY, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
“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.
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.”
— 1 Timothy 6:4-12
Notice the base condition of those who are rich as to things of this world compared to those whose great gain is the contentment of a godly life. Why then are we so tempted to cover the pleasures of those wicked who are rich in the things of the world?
“I was envious… when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” — Psalms 73:3
“Be uot thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.” — Proverbs 24:1
Notice what the great stumbling blocks are among those who are called of God. Paul says to fight the good fight and lay hold on eternal life until which we are called, and Christ said: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) And why are they not chosen? “Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men.” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:34-35)
The difference then, is a matter of the heart! For what you treasure, there will your heart be also.
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” — Luke 12:15
“And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel… more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.” — Mormon 8:36-37, Book of Mormon
“Ye are cursed because of your riches… because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you. Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities.” — Helaman 13:21-22, Book of Mormon
We can come to understand the sin of covetousness by looking at its opposite. The opposite attitude is characterized by a generous nature, a grateful heart, and a selfless desire. A person without a covetous nature is a humble hard-working person who is satisfied with the life God has given them. They seek self-improvement for godly purposes and accept the trials and tribulations of life in faith and gratitude. They are generous and compassionate to those in greater need than themselves and do not envy those with greater abundance.
It is possible to covet more than temporal possessions, a person can covet another person's fame, public respect, popular attention, their talents and appetites, even their spiritual gifts.
Not all desire for something one observes in the possession of another is covetousness. For example, a young person may observe the happy contentment and bountiful blessings of a long married couple surrounded by their children and grandchildren and desire to have such a life for themselves.
How can one know whether their desire for something they observe in another is a righteous desire or covetousness (unrighteous desire)?
There are generally two basic ways to judge, 1) Is your desire also God’s desire for you? 2) Are you seeking to acquire that desire in God’s way?
The greatest antidote to covetousness and all its attendant vices and sins, is to live a humble and grateful life oriented toward love of God and all men. What would our world look like without covetousness? What murder, or adultery would be committed without the vice of covetousness? What lie would be told or possession stolen? What deceit would be practiced? The 10th commandment may be last, but it is not least in the “Thou shalt nots.”
When you think of the commandment “Thou shalt not covet” your first thoughts are probably related to the unholy desires for money and the possessions of wealth. The sentiment is expressed in an oft quoted bible verse:
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.” (1 Timothy 6:11)
So let’s start our study of the 10th commandment with a discussion how the love of money is the root of all evil. It begins with the heart. It is not the money that is evil but the love of it.
Its Love of God that Saves us from the Love of Money:
Jesus taught: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21)
The orientation of our hearts and desires toward the things of heaven over the things of this world is the only sure way to be rich in a Godly way. It isn’t that Christ doesn’t understand our need for temporal possessions, or has no desire for us to enjoy the blessings of prosperity, rather he said:
“If ye… know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11)
It is how we order our desires and actions that frees us from the corrupting influence of the love of money, and brings forth the abundant blessings of our Father in Heaven, both spiritual and temporal.
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
“And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
“For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
— Matthew 6:25-34
In this passage, Christ is not advocating a naïve idleness, but rather an ordered active seeking to establish righteousness in our lives. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added into you.” As we aligning our will with His, those thoughts and concerns we have over temporal needs, will not be worried preoccupations with the material world, but rather a peaceful assurance in the promises of wellbeing for all those who live life yoked with Christ.
The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil:
Where there is covetousness there is pride. Pride is a condition of the sinful heart, it trusts in the arm of flesh, it loves money over God. It is the universal sin. Notice the connections between pride, covetousness, and love of money in this passage from 1 Timothy:
“He is PROUD, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh ENVY, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
“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.
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called.”
— 1 Timothy 6:4-12
Notice the base condition of those who are rich as to things of this world compared to those whose great gain is the contentment of a godly life. Why then are we so tempted to cover the pleasures of those wicked who are rich in the things of the world?
“I was envious… when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” — Psalms 73:3
“Be uot thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.” — Proverbs 24:1
Notice what the great stumbling blocks are among those who are called of God. Paul says to fight the good fight and lay hold on eternal life until which we are called, and Christ said: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) And why are they not chosen? “Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men.” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:34-35)
The difference then, is a matter of the heart! For what you treasure, there will your heart be also.
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” — Luke 12:15
“And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel… more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.” — Mormon 8:36-37, Book of Mormon
“Ye are cursed because of your riches… because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you. Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember your riches, not to thank the Lord your God for them; yea, your hearts are not drawn out unto the Lord, but they do swell with great pride, unto boasting, and unto great swelling, envyings, strifes, malice, persecutions, and murders, and all manner of iniquities.” — Helaman 13:21-22, Book of Mormon
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