The Catalysts of Covetousness

If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
–1 Timothy 6:8

We all have inherited a sin nature, which means we all have a proclivity for covetousness, that burning desire for what doesn’t belong to us. But covetousness, like fire, needs fuel to grow. What fuels the covetousness in our hearts until it turns into a raging inferno?

The consumerist culture we live in breeds covetousness. Christian philosopher Peter Kreeft observed, “The world’s oldest profession is advertising. It was invented by the devil in Eden: ‘See this apple? Eat it and you’ll be like God.’” The basis of all advertising is the idea that if only you had this or that, you would be fulfilled. Have you ever looked carefully at Amazon’s company logo? Below the word Amazon is a curved arrow that starts under the first A and points to the Z, like a mouth curved into a smile. The message is subtle: “We have everything–from A to Z–to make you smile. True happiness is just a click away.”

That’s the attitude of our culture, and it leads to dissatisfaction with what we have. Social media also plays a big role–people post about their luxurious vacations, designer clothes, beautiful homes, and seemingly perfect families, and we think, If only I had what they have, then I could truly be happy. Why hasn’t God given me those things? God has shortchanged me.

At the root of covetousness is a contempt for God, the feeling that He hasn’t given us what we really need. How does God feel when we accuse Him, explicitly or implicitly, of shortchanging us? Imagine you’re at home while your kids are at school. There’s a knock at the door, and you’re surprised to see a worker from Child Protective Services. The worker says, “I’m here to investigate a complaint from your children. They say they never have the snacks they want to eat, the right clothes to wear, or any of the things their classmates have.” So you invite the worker inside and show them a pantry filled with food and closets stuffed with clothes and toys. How do you feel about your children’s complaint? I think God feels the same way when His children accuse Him of shortchanging them.

In 1 Timothy 6:8, Paul said, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” But dissatisfaction with what we have fuels the covetousness in our hearts.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “The Tenth Commandment: Control Yourself and Be Content” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2023.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.