You Shall Not Covet
Introduction: The Ten Commandments were given by the LORD to Israel before they entered the land He had promised to them as an inheritance, with the LORD as their king. Christians should consider the importance of those commandments as they point us to Christ. This last of the Ten Commandments addressing coveting is possibly the most easily ignored of the ten. Even those who strive to follow the law of God are prone to exhibit this basic element of our fallen nature, for it cannot be consistently resisted without the help of the Holy Spirit.
NOTE: AKJV denotes the American King James Version of the Bible.
A — The Tenth Commandment from God Through Moses
Exodus 20 “17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.”
Comments: Within this commandment is a list of items that were symbols of wealth and prosperity common for many centuries. The Tenth Commandment does not imply that the neighbor who has these material items has sinned, so the focus is on the one who allows envy of someone else to supplant contentment with how the Lord has provided for their own needs. Since coveting is a term of fairly strong emotion, there is even some implication that holding onto that feeling may motivate an individual to try to take from the neighbor if that opportunity develops.
B — Character May Be Defined by What We Strongly Desire or Dismiss
Exodus 18 “21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
Joshua 7 “21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them.”
Comments: A very important character trait for leaders in God's chosen nation was their personal abhorrence of covetousness. Joshua took very decisive action when the LORD revealed to him a blatant act of covetousness by Achan that occurred when Israel overran Jericho. With clear direction from the LORD, Joshua had unusual authority to declare the death penalty judgment against Achan and his entire family, confirming the support of the entire community for the LORD's commands and serving as a strong deterrent to others.
C — Centuries Later God's Word Had Not Changed Regarding Covetousness
Psalm 119 “36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness.”
Proverbs 21 “25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor. 26 He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.”
Isaiah 33 “15 He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes… 16 He shall dwell on high. 17 Your eyes shall see the king in his beauty.”
Comments: The Psalms passage contrasts worldly desire with the man who seeks after the Lord and asks for the heart change that will enable him to follow. The Proverbs passage illustrates the type of person driven by dishonest gain rather than diligent work; but the one who is willing to share what he has is called righteous. Isaiah presents a beautiful word picture of the one who walks and speaks righteously, describing sustaining benefits yet to come in the land of the King when he appears in all his beauty.
D — Covetousness Was a Major Factor in Israel's Decline and Dispersion
Jeremiah 8 “10 For every one from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely.”
Ezekiel 33 “31 They sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their covetousness.”
Comments: Even before the first king was established in Israel, the sons of Samuel demonstrated how leaders can take the course of covetousness. The people continued in decline as the prophets recorded how widespread and damaging the covetousness became, even among the priests and prophets themselves, until the children of Israel were dispersed by the Lord into captivity.
E — The New Testament Does Not Minimize Covetousness
Colossians 3 “5 Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
1 Timothy 6 “10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Comments: How many Christians try to serve two masters, allowing the desire for temporal material wealth to divide our service to the master of our eternal soul? Paul tells us that covetousness is in the list with other reprehensible things to be avoided by a Christian who wants to honor the Lord — he told the Colossians that covetousness is idolatry, and wrote to Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not destroy it, and Christians now have His Spirit within us to direct us toward obeying the law as He enables us.
F — Avoiding Covetousness While Having the Abundant Life
Luke 12 “15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.”
Matthew 6 “19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. 33 But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”
Hebrews 13 “5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”
Comments: Possessions can be a blessing from the Lord if we do not allow them to become the objects of our affection and the desire of our heart. The Lord Jesus came in the form of a servant to bring others into relationship with Him, and those who are His disciples need to serve others even when they have positions of wealth or authority. There is nothing that we can give to the LORD God of material or knowledge, so we demonstrate our love to Him by lovingly giving to others.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I ask that you give me more understanding of the many ways that coveting may be manifested in my life, so I can avoid those things that result in my honoring you only with my lips and not with my whole heart. Teach me to continually seek your kingdom by reading your Word and practicing the conduct which is so often contrary to that of the world system. I want to be content whether in want or in plenty materially, knowing that you will never leave me or forsake me. When I have possessions, help me Lord to understand that I am only a steward of these temporal things, and show me ways to minister to the needs of others around me. Guide me through those opportunities you present to share the gospel message of new life in Christ, so others may become part of your kingdom. Amen.
Published 6 January 2009