But covet earnestly the best gifts.
It’s not wrong to covet, as long as you covet the right things. What are the right things? Those that pertain to God and a more Godly life. To covet the conveniences of this life is wrong. To covet a gift to use for the glory of God and in His service is encouraged. If you have a real desire to preach the gospel and ask the Lord to give you the gift so that you can preach, don’t forget to use that gift in the gospel and for the Lord’s glory when He grants your request. The vessel should never be seen. But what’s inside should shine out.