Contentment Part 4 - Covetousness & Discontentment
Covetousness & discontentment are closely related concepts that are addressed throughout Scripture. Covetousness is the intense desire for possessions or wealth that belong to someone else. The Tenth Commandment explicitly warns against covetousness, Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbour’s.”
To many, coveting something feels like it is a big deal, not something to take seriously. It certainly isn’t as bad as breaking the other commandments, like killing someone or stealing something. What is so bad about admiring things that our neighbours own and wishing they were our own? But covetousness is the root of many other sins, for it can lead to actions that harm others and disrupt community harmony. It is a condition of the heart that prioritizes self-interest and material gain over love and obedience to God. It is considered a sin because it reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and a focus on material rather than spiritual wealth.
Jesus warns against covetousness 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 his possessions.” Paul equates covetousness with idolatry in Colossians 3:5: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
A covetous heart often leads to discontentment. When people focus on what they lack or desire what others have, they become blind to the blessings they already possess. All they see is what they don’t have. They feel that they deserve what others have. That is unfair that God has blessed others, while they feel shortchanged by God. Making many question God’s goodness and love. This cycle can lead to a life characterized by anxiety, dissatisfaction, and a constant pursuit of more.
The biblical antidote to covetousness and discontent lies in a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. A heart seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). By cultivating gratitude, trust, and reliance on God's promises, we can overcome these destructive attitudes, live in the peace, and joy that come from a contented heart.
Blessings,
Pastor Kyu Park