The Ten Commandments - 12
You shall not covet
We have been looking at the laws given by God to Moses for the people of Israel. They were given to them not only as rules by which to order their lives, but to teach them that the Living God is holy and just. We know these laws as "The Ten Commandments" and we have discovered that they set God's standard for our relationships with one another and with Him.
This time we are looking at the last of these commandments and this is found in Exodus chapter 20 verse 17. Here is what it says:
"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."
We are going to look at this commandment under four headings:
First: "What does it mean to covet something?"
Second: "What forms does covetousness take?"
Third: "Why is wrong to covet?"
And fourth: "What is the alternative to coveting?"
Let me say this, before we look at the first question. If you think that this commandment has nothing to do with you because it speaks about servants and animals, keep listening because we will be discovering that the principles behind this commandment are relevant to every society in every age!
So, "What is covetousness?" In the New Testament two Greek words are used for covetousness. One means, "An insatiable desire for getting the world." The other means, "An inordinate love of the world." In other words, the material things of this world are seen as so important, so precious, so essential to happiness and fulfilment that they are pursued and longed for above all else. Covetousness is a form of greed. Paul says in Colossians chapter 3 verse 5 that covetousness is in fact idolatry, and just in case it is thought that this commandment is not as important as the others, listen to the rest of what Paul says to the Christians at Colossae:
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil, desires and greed (or covetousness) which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming."
We have discovered in a previous talk that we are not to make or worship idols. And we have found that an idol is anything that takes the place of God in our lives. So, when we covet something so much that we are taken-up with obtaining it, we are in fact worshipping that thing - and that is idolatry.
So covetousness is the inordinate desire for something we do not have or for the possessions of another.
My second question is this: "What forms does covetousness take?"
If we think carefully about covetousness, we will find that it leads to the breaking of the previous nine commandments. I have just said that to covet is an act of idolatry, and this breaks the first and second commandments. To desire money and material things more than God is to worship these things and put them in the place that belongs to Him.
A Christian whose covetousness is seen by others brings dishonour on the name of the Lord, and so he breaks the third commandment that reminds us that God's name is to be revered. The pursuit of material gain on the Lord's Day is a covetous attitude and this breaks the fourth commandment that calls on us to keep that day set apart for God.
Parents can be dishonoured and used as a means to an end by children who covet their possessions or their wealth. "What are they worth to me?" is the burning question in their hearts. With this attitude they break the fifth commandment that parents are to be honoured. Often covetousness leads to the breaking of the sixth commandment that "You shall not murder." How many have killed for the love of money!
How wise God is when He includes in this injunction against coveting the desire for a neighbour's wife. A man or woman covets and desires the partner of another. It does not matter to them that he or she is married, that they are sinning against their own bodies, that solemn vows are being broken and relationships violated. This kind of coveting leads to the breaking of the seventh commandment - "You shall not commit adultery."
The eighth commandment is that we must not steal. Covetousness is at the heart of all theft. The Bible reminds us that it is the LOVE of money that is the root of all kinds of evil. The covetous person can also break the ninth commandment that forbids the giving of false testimony against another. The covetous are happy to falsely accuse and condemn others if the price is right.
Are you beginning to get the picture - that this tenth commandment is at the foundation of them all, and is so important? The strong desire to have another's possessions, whatever they may be, leads to temptation - the temptation to obtain those things no matter what it takes. There are three key factors in every temptation. They are: Seeing, Desiring and Taking.
In Genesis chapter 3 verse 6 we read how the first woman, Eve, SAW the forbidden fruit and she DESIRED it and then she TOOK it. In Joshua chapter 7 we read of a man called Achan who saw some of the treasures of Jericho and coveted them. He saw beautiful clothes and he saw gold and silver and he took them, contrary to the express command of God. He confessed to Joshua, "When I SAW these things, I COVETED them and TOOK them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent." His actions almost brought disaster on the nation. We read of David in relation to Bathsheba, the wife of Urriah the Hittite, that he Saw her, he WANTED her and he TOOK her.
Eve, Achan and David each took what was expressly forbidden by God. Eve took the forbidden fruit. Achan took the forbidden wealth. David took the forbidden person. Each one suffered the consequences of their covetousness. To covet is to desire those things which in the infinite wisdom of God are not part of His will for our lives, and which He knows will only harm us.
My third question is: "Why is it wrong to covet?"
Firstly, covetousness displays dissatisfaction and discontentment. It is the popular belief that true satisfaction and fulfilment in life can only be gained through material possessions and living for selfish desires. This is a lie. Jesus said, in Luke 12 verse 15:
"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Secondly, covetousness is wrong because God says it is wrong. In another context someone has said, "God says it. I believe it. That settles it!" In other words, for the Christian, the fact that God has said that we must not covet should be sufficient reason for us to know that it is wrong.
Let's finish this consideration of the tenth commandment by asking the question: "What is the alternative to a covetous spirit?"
First we must recognise this sin for what it really is. It is a sin against God. Secondly, there must be deep repentance. And thirdly we must learn to trust totally in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is a faithful and loving Saviour Who gave Himself for our sins on the cross. Fourthly we need to trust in God's Word. We need to believe the promises of God that He will not fail His people. Fifthly, we need to find our contentment in Christ alone and to rest on the hope we have in Him.
An alternative to being taken-up with seeking after material things is to serve the Lord. The Lord Jesus said that we are to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" and then we need not worry about possessions and material things.
The apostle Paul, writing to the Philippian Christians in chapter 4 verses 11 and 12 says this:
"For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation."
The secret of this contentment was his faith in Christ. He could say later to the Philippians:
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Finally, covet the glory of God. What is man's chief end? It is to glorify God and enjoy HIM forever. May the Lord help us to obey both the spirit and the letter of all these commandments as we seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.