How does the Church define coveting?

Paul writes: "Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). Some translations render this sin as "covetousness," others as "greed," and greed is how the Church understands coveting.

Coveting is not enjoying the sight of things we like or would like to have. It is an inordinate attachment to things, an obsession with having. To be obsessed with something is to make a god of it; it becomes more important than anything else. Paul says this is unacceptable for a follower of Christ, and the Church agrees.

We should buy what we need, and some extras just for fun are fine, but with moderation, generosity to others and God before all else. That is where we counter our culture: we set limits for ourselves because God matters more to us than anything.