Envy, Jealousy, Covetousness, and Greed

Introduction

Envy, jealousy, covetousness, and greed are sins that reveal a self-focus that questions God’s work and provision in your life. These sins must be “put-off” out of your commitment to live for Jesus Christ (based on Romans 6:3-4; 13:14; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-11; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:11-12).

Characteristics of envy, jealousy, covetousness, and greed.

When you belittle others in thought or speech, you disobey specific commands of Scripture (based on Ephesians 4:29; Philippians 4:8; James 3:5-18, 4:11). God’s Word teaches that:

You are not to think or speak about other’s accomplishments or abilities in a demeaning manner;

You are not to think or speak of others’ lives or actions in a way which questions their motives or character; and

You are not to think, speak, or act in ways which imply that another person is selfish because he has material goods.

If you compare yourself or your circumstances with those whose material goods, benefits, abilities, talents, spiritual gifts, or honors you desire, you question God’s sovereignty in your life (based on Psalm 75:6-7; Matthew 20:1-16; 1 Corinthians 13:5; 2 Corinthians 10:12; 1 Timothy 6:6-8). Your sin in this matter by:

Desiring or demanding an equal measure of others’ benefits whether or not you did anything to deserve or earn them;

Complaining in your thoughts or in your conversation about your present situation in life; or

Striving to accumulate or acquire more wealth, honor, power, fame, or popularity than others.

Some common thoughts, words, and actions that reveal envy, jealousy, covetousness, or greed.

Complaining about your circumstances or making unwholesome, unedifying statements about other people while comparing yourself with them reveals a problem of envy, jealousy, covetousness, or greed within your own heart (based on Matthew 12:34-37; Luke 6:45; Romans 14:10-13; Ephesians 4:29; James 3:3-6, 4:11). In reviewing the following statements, it is important to examine yourself in a Biblical manner and not judge others. Some examples that indicate envy, jealousy, covetousness, or greed are...

“Well, that’s another feather he can add to his cap. I’ll bet he stepped on quite a few people to get that position.” (belittling accomplishments)

“Oh, anybody with half a brain could have figured that out! She just happened to do it first.” (belittling ability)

“Sure, they’re rich. But did you ever wonder how they managed to get that much money? And I’m sure they don’t give sacrificially or help others in need like we do.” (belittling deeds; comparing self with others)

“You think she’s beautiful? Do you know how long it must take her to get that way every morning?” (belittling physical appearance)

“I don’t know why he is in charge of that ministry. You’d think the whole church revolved around him, since everyone thinks he can do everything. Well, pride goes before a fall, I always say.” (belittling accomplishments and responsibilities)

When your thoughts, words, or actions indicate envy, jealousy, covetousness, or greed, you displease the Lord through your lack of love for others and your exaltation of yourself. In addition, you reveal the spiritual conditions of your heart, which is focused on self (based on Matthew 15:19-20, 22:39; Romans 12:9, 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 2 Corinthians 10:17-18; Galatians 5:14; Philippians 2:3-8). Examine yourself in light of Scripture, using the following examples:

You pretend outwardly that you are happy for another’s recognition or accomplishment but brood in private about the unfairness of life and how deprived you are (in violation of Romans 12:3-9; 1 Corinthians 13:1; Philippians 2:14, 4:13);

You practice “one-upmanship” and seek to have more honor, or goods, or praise for yourself to show that you can do at least as well as the other person (in violation of Proverbs 25:27, 27:2; Mark 10:43-45; Luke 14:8-11);

You plan or try to take away the very thing that the other person has (such as friendship, popularity, honors, spouse, reputation, etc.) (in violation of Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Ephesians 4:28);

You ignore or avoid those who are honored (in violation of Romans 12:10, 15; 1 Peter 2:17);

You protest that particular item or honor really belongs to you; you complain that the other person “stole” what was rightly yours; or you angrily demand a recount, a re-evaluation, or an equal measure for yourself (in violation of James 4:11-12, 5:9; 1 Peter 2:19-23);

You pretend that the other person’s position, honor, or goods do not matter to you and put on a jovial “it is no big thing” attitude (in violation of Psalm 34:13; Proverbs 26:24-28; 1 Peter 3:10);

You try and make another feel guilty by expressing your opinion that he is shallow to take pleasure in any particular benefit that has come his way (in violation of Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-2; James 3:13-18); or

You boast about your own accomplishments, especially in an effort to advance your own cause with those around you (in violation of Proverbs 15:27, 27:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:30).

Recognizing the difference between godly jealousy and sinful jealousy

God is completely holy (Leviticus 19:2; Psalm 99:3, 5, 9; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:16), totally loving (1 John 4:8), unchanging in His character (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17), and is never described as envious, covetous, or greedy.

God, in His holiness, is jealous (Exodus 34:14) but in a distinctly different way from the kind of earthly jealousy that prohibits your spiritual development (James 3:13-16). The difference between godly jealousy and sinful jealousy is in its focus.

While God’s jealousy focuses on His honor, His holiness, the worship due to His Name, and the purity of His people (Exodus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:23-24, 5:8-9, 6:14-15; Joshua 24:16-21; Ezekiel 39:25; Zechariah 1:14, 8:1-3), sinful jealousy focuses on pleasing self and being harmful to others (Romans 13:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; James 3:13-18).

When servants of God exhibited godly jealousy, the incidents show that the focus was to please God and bless others instead of gratifying self or harming others (Numbers 25:11; 2 Corinthians 11:2).

God’s view of envy, jealousy, covetousness, and greed

Envy (resentment or displeasure at another’s attainments, material goods, or endowments, often resulting in efforts to deprive others of what they have) and jealousy (a selfish desire accompanied by resentment, suspicion, or fear that another person is seeking to take away what you perceive to be yours) both reveal a self-centeredness that is unloving and destructive (based on Proverbs 27:4; Matthew 27:15-18; Acts 5:12-18, 13:45; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Titus 3:3).

Envy is...

Not compatible with good will in the Body of Christ (Philippians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:3-5),

One of the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21),

Characteristic of a life separated from God (Titus 3:3),

Not compatible with a Spirit-controlled life (Galatians 5:25-26), and

Indicative of a depraved mind (Romans 1:28-32, especially verse 29).

Jealousy is...

One of the deeds of darkness (Romans 13:12-14),

Considered fleshly and leads to foolish comparisons and competitiveness (1 Corinthians 3:1-4, 19),

In opposition to godly wisdom (James 3:13-18),

A denial of Biblical love (1 Corinthians 13:4),

A prelude to disorder and evil (James 3:16),

Associated with strife (Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:20), and

One of the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

Covetousness (a wrongful desire to possess what God has not ordained you to have; this desire is usually directed at what belongs to another) and greed (giving free rein to an overwhelming desire for more than is God’s will for your life) are both sins that reveal a focus on self-gratification (based on Exodus 10:17; Ecclesiastes 5:10-11; Micah 2:1-2; Luke 12:15-21; Ephesians 4:17-19, especially verse 19). Both covetousness and greed are linked with idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5).

Covetousness...

Has always been forbidden by God (Exodus 10:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Romans 13:9),

Is characteristic of those who have no part in the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), and

Is so detrimental to the Body of Christ that believers are forbidden to associate with any so-called brother who is covetous (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).

Greed is...

To be guarded against (Luke 12:15),

Characteristic of false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3) and those who reject the Lord (Psalm 10:3; 2 Peter 2:9-16, especially verse 14),

Indicative of a depraved mind (Romans 1:28-32, especially verse 29),

Descriptive of a life separate from the Lord (Psalm 10:3-4; Colossians 3:5-7), and

Improper among believers (Ephesians 5:3).