Christ and the young rich ruler title QS:P1476,en:"Christ and the young rich ruler "Heinrich Hofmann · 1889–06

Covetousness(greed)

/KUV-it-us-nus/

Summary

Greedy desire for what belongs to others, forbidden by the tenth commandment and identified by Paul as idolatry.

☩Prohibition

The tenth commandment forbids coveting a neighbor's house, wife, servants, animals, or anything belonging to the neighbor. Jesus warned against covetousness, teaching that life does not consist in abundance of possessions.

Key verses:Exodus 20:17Luke 12:15Colossians 3:5Hebrews 13:5

☩Examples of Covetousness

Achan's covetousness brought defeat at Ai. Ahab's covetousness for Naboth's vineyard led to murder. Gehazi's covetousness brought leprosy. Judas's covetousness led to betraying Christ.

Key verses:Joshua 7:211 Kings 21:1-162 Kings 5:20-27Matthew 26:14-16