(This blog post is the first in our summer series where we will reflect on the ten commandments. This aligns with our summer book club book, Ten Words to Live By by Jen Wilkin. They will not be posted in commandment order.)
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
- Exodus 20:17, ESV
What is at the heart of coveting?
Coveting reveals that we think we lack something another person possesses. We feel God has forgotten us in the distributing of spiritual gifts, wealth, home, opportunities, and families. We don’t have what we think we need to be happy.
Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus admonishes, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” In light of Jesus’ words here, let us ask three questions when we covet:
1. What does my coveting reveal about how I view God?
2. What does my coveting reveal about how I view myself?
3. What does my coveting reveal about how I view others?
Coveting reveals desire. Desire exposes idols.
We covet when our eyes move away from the throne of Jesus towards the things we can see. It’s not as easy as telling ourselves not to do something. We have to replace the object of our desire with something better. So, what should we desire as Christians?
One day, as citizens of heaven, shalom will reign. Matthew 22 will be fulfilled. We will lack nothing. We will be complete and perfect. Let us long for eternity and fill our minds with thoughts of the world to come.
In the meantime, Jesus says he came to give life and life abundantly. Jesus said he is the everlasting water of which we should drink and thirst no more. Today, let us accept this gift anew. Today, let us respond like Paul, who daily experienced the shalom that is ours forevermore in Christ.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13, ESV
For continued reflection on the 10th Commandment, the following Scriptures were instrumental in my own journey: Psalm 16:11, 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, 1 Timothy 6:7-10, 1 Peter 2:9-11, and 1 John 2:15-16.
What is standing in your way of this life of freedom?
Meet the author!
Natalie Ford is a wife and mom with a passion for making Christ known. She is an avid reader, enjoys the outdoors and loves to be with her people at CRBC.