Day 5

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox, or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbour.” — Exodus 20:17

Although the commandment concerning coveting is the last of the Ten Commandments, it is a source of most other sin the commandments address. It is wanting something that doesn’t belong to us, which often leads to idolatry, stealing, adultery, assault and murder. The other commands have to do with external activity, but coveting is about the internal cause, the attitude from which sin is derived.

Murder, adultery and stealing are all external acts, but covetousness is hidden internally. That is why it is so dangerous a friend to cultivate – its work goes on underground and we deceive ourselves as to its existence. Is it legitimate to be ambitious in business? Are we wrong in wanting to earn more money? The answer is ‘no’. None of this is wrong in itself, but the deeper issue is why are we wanting these things? Are they related to the agenda of God, or to our own well being?

One of the misrepresentations in society today is that peoples’ lives are measured in the abundance of things they own. All too often our sense of significance and status relate to our bank accounts, where we live, the car we drive, and who we associate with. Life is “keeping up with the Jones” which amounts to spending money we don’t have to buy things we don’t want to please people we don’t like. Material goods are ours to use and enjoy, but they are not what will bring deep inner meaning to life. That comes from relationship with God and with others.

Proverbs 30:8-9 says, “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.” Greed usually ends in tears. The more we have, the more we want, and striving to get it will eventually deplete us of true fulfillment. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:17, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Becoming self sufficient may lead to bankruptcy of soul and spirit, but in a relationship of love and dependence upon God, we are richly provided for with our daily needs and more.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am so grateful for all the many blessings you have already given me. there is nothing more I need than to receive your daily provision. you are my provider and I am filled. thank-you, Jesus.

To reflect upon: Am I envious of other people and what they have? If so, why does that matter to me, and how does my envy relate to my contentedness in God?