COVETOUSNESS

It is the strong desire to obtain power, position, or possessions in a vain attempt to satisfy the emptiness inside one's soul ... a sin that fills the heart with pride and chains a man to the things of this world rather than the things of God. 

Believers must have a biblical mindset concerning money and property in order to live above the fray. The Word of God warns of the evil associated with trusting in that which fallen man deems laudable. You cannot serve two masters ... either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

We are to be content with what we have and not seek financial wealth as our primary goal. The 'prosperity gospel' preached by today's false prophets is not at all Scriptural ... it only feeds into man's self-centered, ego-driven carnality. 

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 

King Solomon had personal experience with covetousness and gave us this profound statement ... I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.  (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)

Money and possessions in themselves are not evil, but when they subvert the human heart (which is reserved for God alone) ... they become a stumbling block.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Spurgeon - That earthly things decay, or are taken from us, is an excellent reason for not making them the great objects of our pursuit. Accumulate for eternity, and send your treasures into the land whither you are going. 

The crippling effect of coveting the perishable things of this world demands that we take decisive steps to deal with it. Jesus gave us this warning ... Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Luke 12:15

Avarice is similar to the sin of idolatry. A covetous person desires to find purpose or fulfillment in corruptible things instead of God ... exalting material wealth above the Lordship of Jesus Christ.