Read Colossians 3:5–11

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5

Greed (or covetousness in the King James Version) is the sin of always wanting more, whether it be more things or more pleasures. Covetous people are never satisfied with what they have, and they are usually envious of what others have. This is idolatry, for covetousness puts things in the place of God. “You shall not covet” is the last of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:17). Yet this sin can make us break all of the other nine! Greedy people will dishonor God, take God’s name in vain, lie, steal, and commit every other sin in order to satisfy their sinful desires.

Do believers in local churches commit such sins? Unfortunately, they sometimes do. Each of the New Testament epistles sent to local churches mentions these sins and warns against them.

What we desire usually determines what we do. If I create in my children an appetite for candy, then I must satisfy that appetite. If they become overweight and unhealthy, then I must change their appetites, and I must teach them how to enjoy foods other than sweets. “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10) should be our prayer.

Something to Ponder

What things do you do to prevent covetousness from getting out of control and hindering your spiritual maturity?