But see, now then, since covetousness, in the naked ground of it, letteth a man or woman so much from the spiritual feeling of the love of God, how much more, then, doth it let and cumber worldly men and women, who by all their wits and bodily business night and day, study and travail how they may get riches and plenty of worldly goods? They can have no other delight but in worldly things; nay, they will not, for they seek it not. I say no more of them at this time; for in this writing I spake not to them. But this I say, that if they would see, or could see what they do, they would not do so. (John Climacus)

To covet is to deeply and eagerly desire what belongs to another.

The desiring, alone, is not typically a problem.

The problem arises from a wrongful, inordinate desiring that disregards the rights and needs of others.

But even a simpler, less passionate covetousness is a fantasizing that distracts us from the present.

To engage the blessings and relationships we have would leave little time or energy for wanting what we do not have.