You aren't obliged to think of the word "covet" in a negative sense only. It has both a positive and a negative connotation. On the positive, it means:
"To desire or wish for, with eagerness; to desire earnestly to obtain or possess; in a good sense."

Paul in 1Cor 12 says, "Covet earnestly the best gifts."

In this sense, it is perfectly fine to use the expression.

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Christopher Hinton
Northland, A Church Distributed;
Altamonte Springs, FL