Covetousness & Envy

🔹 Covetousness (Greek: pleonexia)

📖 Definition:

Covetousness is an intense desire to possess something that belongs to someone else, especially when that desire leads to discontent, greed, or wrongful action. It is often rooted in materialism or a craving for things outside God's provision.

Exodus 20:17 (KJV) – "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife..." Luke 12:15 (KJV) – "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

⚠️ Effects / Manifestation of Covetousness:

Idolatry: It places possessions above God.

Colossians 3:5 – "Covetousness, which is idolatry."

Restlessness & Discontentment: Never satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 – "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver."

Unrighteous Behavior: Leads to theft, lying, or manipulation to obtain what one covets.

Judgment from God:

Ephesians 5:5 – No covetous man "hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

🔹 Envy (Greek: phthonos)

📖 Definition:

Envy is a feeling of discontent or resentment toward someone else’s blessings, success, or possessions, often accompanied by a desire to see them lose what they have. It’s more focused on the person and their state of blessing than on the object itself.

Proverbs 14:30 (KJV) – "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones." James 3:16 (KJV) – "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

⚠️ Effects / Manifestation of Envy:

Bitterness & Division: Causes strife and broken relationships.

1 Corinthians 3:3 – “...there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions..."

Spiritual Blindness: Can’t rejoice with others.

Murder or Hatred:

Genesis 4 – Cain killed Abel due to envy. Acts 7:9 – "The patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt."

Emotional and physical decay:

Proverbs 14:30 – "envy is the rottenness of the bones."

🔍 Key Differences:

CovetousnessEnvyFocusThe object (something possessed by another)The person who possesses itDesire"I want what you have.""I don’t want you to have it."MotiveDriven by greedDriven by resentmentOutcomeLeads to stealing, dishonesty, idolatryLeads to hatred, division, and strife

💡 Summary:

Covetousness is a sinful desire for more, especially for what belongs to others.

Envy is a sinful reaction to others having what you want — often with a wish they didn’t have it.

Both are heart sins that lead to greater outward sins if not repented of.

God warns against both because they reflect a heart not satisfied with God Himself.

Psalm 73:25 (KJV) – "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee."

“Covetousness and Envy: Two Sins That Steal the Heart”

📜 Text: James 3:14–16; Luke 12:15; Exodus 20:17

✳️ I. Introduction: The Battle Within

Illustration: Imagine two neighbors—one stares longingly at the other’s new truck; the other resents him for being able to afford it. Both are in sin—but in different ways.

Quote: “You can’t worship at God’s altar with a heart full of someone else’s blessings.”

These sins are often hidden, but deeply destructive.

✳️ II. Covetousness – The Sin of Wanting More

🔹 A. Definition

An inordinate desire to possess what belongs to someone else.

Greek: pleonexia – “greedy desire to have more”

🔹 B. Key Verses

Exodus 20:17 – “Thou shalt not covet…”

Luke 12:15 – “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance…”

🔹 C. Effects

Idolatry – Colossians 3:5

Discontentment – 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Compromise – Judas (Matthew 26:14-16) coveted silver, betrayed Christ

🔹 D. Manifestation

Always wanting more

Comparing lifestyles

Justifying dishonest gain

✳️ III. Envy – The Sin of Resentment

🔹 A. Definition

Resentment toward another person’s success, blessings, or possessions

Greek: phthonos – “ill-will due to another’s good”

🔹 B. Key Verses

James 3:16 – “Where envying... is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

Proverbs 14:30 – “Envy is the rottenness of the bones.”

🔹 C. Effects

Bitterness – toward others who prosper

Division – Joseph’s brothers (Acts 7:9)

Hatred/Murder – Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)

🔹 D. Manifestation

Can’t rejoice with others

Desiring others to fail

Hidden competitiveness

✳️ IV. Comparing the Two

SinFocusRoot AttitudeFruit ProducedCovetousnessWhat they have"I want that."Greed, theft, idolatryEnvyWho they are"I don’t want them to have it."Hatred, division, bitterness

💡 Illustration: Covetousness looks at a feast and says, “Why wasn’t I invited?” Envy says, “If I can’t eat, no one should.”

✳️ V. The Cure for Both

🔹 A. Contentment in Christ

Hebrews 13:5 – “...be content with such things as ye have.”

Psalm 73:25 – “Whom have I in heaven but thee?”

🔹 B. Gratitude

Replace greed with thanksgiving (1 Thess. 5:18)

🔹 C. Rejoicing in Others’ Blessings

Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with them that do rejoice…”

🔹 D. Crucifying the Flesh

Galatians 5:24 – “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh…”

✳️ VI. Conclusion: Guard the Inner Man

Reflection Question:

Is there anything I long for more than I long for Christ Himself? Do I feel joy or discomfort when others are blessed?

Closing Verse:

Proverbs 4:23 – "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

✅ Optional Applications:

Prayer: Ask God to cleanse any hidden envy or covetousness.

Challenge: This week, intentionally thank God for someone else’s blessing.

Discussion: Share how social media, advertising, or peer pressure might feed these sins.