It is and as my take is that it's fine.
If we're using the standard definition then "covet" means "yearn to possess or have (something)" so it's hard for me to see anything wrong w/ coveting more time w/ my kids. The quote wasn't in the post above but I do think we're basically talking about the tenth comandment (from here): “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” So that would mean it's wrong to covet my neighbor's house that he wants to keep but if one just like it is for sale then I can work and plan for it.
We hear all the time about how the government's supposed to stop "income inequality", and imho this talk is a sin. Likewise I'm very unimpressed w/ complaints about how the U.S. economy used to be half the world's GDP but now it's only a third. The rest of the world's better off --that's a good thing isn't it?
This line from the original posting just kind of threw me “If you long to acquire things and are focusing all your attention on how you might get them, you are guilty of covetousness.”
because people who plan and save for some thing do spend a lot of time and lots of attention on how to make it work out to have what they want. What color, size, style etc etc etc of an item wanted.
As you said rmichaelj, i guess if the heart is that it is some thing to be used for the kingdom, for God’s glory not largely personal want then that makes difference.
I also agree with you expat_panama I don’t believe God intends all incomes be the same or even similar. We each are given the choice to work/contribute to our family’s overall resources, and how much to work, or unique life circumstances that may limit our ability to be of help to our family and truly need to be cared for instead.
Thank you both for your replies :) helps me understand clearer.