What does it mean to be covetous, and what does the Bible say about it?

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor COVETOUS, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV [Capitalization my emphasis]

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." - 1 Timothy 6:10 KJV

Another translation:

"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." - 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NLT

The Bible says that covetousness is idolatry. God wants us to put Him first in our relationship with Him. He wants us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. Idolatry enters in when we have a love for money, Jesus no longer being number one in our life.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them." - Colossians 3:2-7 KJV

Another translation: “…Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” – Colossians 3:5b NLT

If we are dealing with covetousness, we have a hope through Jesus.

"And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV

Through the power of the Holy Ghost - the Spirit of Jesus, we can overcome the temptations we face of putting money and possessions first in our life. We can keep our minds right by seeking Jesus and the kingdom of God instead of seeking money first in our life. There are so often costs to money that causes a person to compromise their morals and right living. 

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints... for this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." - Ephesians 5:3, 5 KJV

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: [Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.] For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." - Hebrews 13:5 KJV