Breaking Free from Covetousness

When we think about financial threats, inflation, taxes, and debt are often the first that come to mind. But Scripture tells us there’s a deeper, more dangerous threat—covetousness. Left unchecked, it poisons our joy, drives us to make poor financial choices, and blinds us to God’s generosity.

Covetousness is more than wanting what we don’t have. It’s a disordered desire that whispers: “I must have that to be happy, safe, or fulfilled.” Paul warns in Colossians 3:5, calling covetousness “idolatry.” Why? Because it dethrones God and places possessions on the throne of our hearts.

In our finances, covetousness often manifests subtly—comparing our homes to those of our neighbors, upgrading cars that are still running well, or chasing investments out of envy. These patterns reveal misplaced worship.

The Antidote: Contentment in Christ

The opposite of covetousness isn’t deprivation—it’s contentment. In Philippians 4:11–13, Paul testifies that he has learned contentment in every circumstance through Christ’s strength.

Contentment doesn’t come naturally—it’s cultivated. And when we trust in God’s abundance, we no longer grasp at what others have. Instead, we rest in His provision. Think of Jesus feeding the 5,000: what looked like scarcity became abundance in His hands.

Social media magnifies our envy, turning vacations, houses, and life stages into comparison traps. The tenth commandment—“You shall not covet”—goes straight to the heart, reminding us that God cares not just about our actions but about our desires.

If you feel this struggle, take heart—you’re not alone. The Spirit empowers us to shift from envy to gratitude, from restless striving to restful trust.

Practical Steps to Combat Covetousness

Fighting covetousness is not about self-shame—it’s about redirecting our worship. Here are three practices rooted in Scripture:

1. Practice Gratitude—1 Thessalonians 5:18 calls us to give thanks in all circumstances. Keeping a daily gratitude list shifts focus from what’s missing to what God has given.
    
2. Budget as Worship—A budget isn’t just restrictive—it’s a discipleship tool. By directing money toward giving, saving, and wise spending, we declare, “Lord, I want You to guide my resources.”
    
3. Give Generously—Paul urges believers to “be rich in good works, generous and ready to share” (1 Tim. 6:18). Every gift declares that our identity is not in what we own but in who owns us.

Redirecting Desire Toward Christ

Jesus warns in Luke 12:15: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” The rich fool who built bigger barns illustrates the danger of letting wealth replace intimacy with God.

Covetousness dies when Christ becomes enough. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us: “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.’”

At its root, covetousness is a worship issue. We long for what others have because our hearts are restless for the only One who satisfies. St. Augustine put it well: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”

The cure isn’t less desire but rightly directed desire—desire fulfilled in Christ. When we practice gratitude, budget as worship, and live generously, we shift our gaze from possessions that perish to a Savior who is more than enough.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• We sold our house after some delays, but in the meantime, I withdrew funds from my IRA, intending to pay them back within 60 days. Since the sale took longer, are there any IRS rules or options to reduce the taxes on that withdrawal?
• I’m turning 59½ and retiring early. I have a TSP and the option to roll it into a fixed index annuity with a bonus from Allianz. What’s your perspective on this type of annuity?
• We sold a property through owner financing after owning it for 15 years, though it wasn’t our primary residence. When should I report the taxes, and is it treated as a long-term capital gain? Is there any tax benefit to having held it long-term?
• My sister has money sitting in a savings account that earns very little interest, and my name is also on it. Since she doesn’t use email, could I open a joint high-yield online savings account with my email, transfer the funds there, and earn more interest?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Christian Community Credit Union (CCCU)
• .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}