Tenth Commandment – No Coveting

Tenth Commandment – No Coveting

Exodus 20: ¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

 

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GOD told Moses and the children of Israel not to covet or want the stuff other people have.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be fortifying the children of Israel against being able to be tempted by the world’s treasures.
• GOD knew that people could easily be bribed or bought to not follow HIM.
• JESUS was tempted by Satan with the world’s treasures because Satan did not want JESUS to die for the sins of mankind.

 

Ten commandments were given to everyone for a different reason than I thought. I used to believe these were harsh rules that seemed impossible to keep, or a checklist of measures to show how good I was. But this is not a list of “Do as I say or else.” The Ten Commandments are a list of protections against the attack of Satan.

 

It took ten plagues to disable the mindset of the Egyptians. Now GOD provided ten commandments that would protect you and me from Satan. This list is all about JESUS. When the HOLY SPIRIT led JESUS into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, worldly treasures were used as an attempt to get JESUS to misuse HIS power.

 

The consequence would have been Satan winning all humans for himself because the scrolls that sentenced Satan would not have been opened. But JESUS overcame the temptation of the world’s treasures. You and I can do the same. When we want more of the world’s finest, we can be tempted away from GOD’s finest, namely JESUS.

 

Having stuff is not bad. Having needs, wants and desires is also not bad. Trading in JESUS to get stuff is bad because you can gain the whole world and lose your soul. I believe GOD recognizes jealousy over a missing need. If I don’t have a need and I see someone who has the need, I am going to ask GOD, “Can I have my need fulfilled?”  GOD will bring the right resource at the right time.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to not covet?
• Have you ever been taken off of GOD’s path because you wanted something that someone else had?
• Can you place your desires, wants and needs before GOD and let HIM sort through how and when HE will deliver you?

Understanding Enough

Understanding Enough

Exodus 16: ¹⁷ Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. ¹⁸ So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. ¹⁹ And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” ²⁰ Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. ²¹ So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted.

 

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GOD provided bread from heaven and arranged for quail to show up every day. HE gave specific instructions on the amounts to gather. But there were some who did not heed the instructions and the food rotted the next day and worms appeared.

 

My Observations:

• Some of the children of Israel collected more than they needed.
• GOD seemed to be addressing a mindset of independence that the children of Israel had.
• The children of Israel probably had to tell Moses that they had rotten, stinking food with worms.

 

Following GOD required a change of mindset. When HE gave instructions, it was for protection versus punishment. GOD knew how long the food would last. HE specifically made the food last for the duration HE prescribed. The children of Israel were not used to food from heaven and thought it would keep like earthly food.

 

GOD seemed to be showing the children of Israel that what HE provided was enough. HE also seemed to be telling them that HE was enough to believe in. Unfortunately, they had become self-reliant.  They were so used to gathering food for the Egyptians and for themselves, that they could not believe that GOD would provide what HE said HE would.  GOD tells us that HE is enough.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the disobedience of the children of Israel regarding gathering food daily?
• Are there some things that GOD has said that are difficult for you to surrender to?
• Is there something that you need to surrender that GOD has clearly said for you to let go of?

 

Contented Faith

Contented Faith

Hebrews 13: ⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” ⁶ Let us be bold, then, and say,

 

“The Lord is my helper,
    I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

 

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After assessing my “needs” I got frustrated and nervous. My car was approaching 300,000 miles and I still had bills. A position at work came with a car. I fixated my thinking on this position as my way out. I did not get the position at first so I complained to GOD.

 

• I looked at “everything” as being a mess.
• I was exhausted trying to keep up with expenses.
• I was not content with where I was with anything.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives some extremely sound advice. He probably saw how society focused on the latest thing, causing people to have an insatiable desire for more and more. Discontent over food, living arrangements, clothes and amounts of money needed to be addressed. He said “be satisfied.”

 

My Observations:

• Discontentment makes me deaf to GOD, but when I am content, HE speaks softly to me.
• Thanklessness makes me look at my stuff as old, worn out and embarrassing, but when I am thankful, GOD provides what I need at the right time.
• Unhappiness makes me see GOD as the problem, but when I seek joy over happiness, I see problems differently and know I need GOD to fight my battles with the enemy.

 

Satisfaction can be a fleeting thing. I mean, the world presents satisfaction as receiving pleasure over seeking GOD’s kingdom. Each moment needs to be compared to someone else’s life with visual proof that life is great, when it isn’t. GOD has a remedy for this quandary.

 

Contentment, thankfulness and joy opens my eyes to a special part of GOD that is beyond salvation. Yes, JESUS died for my sins and I am eternally saved, but what about this life? GOD knows there will be trouble and wants me to use contentment, thankfulness and joy as weapons against the enemy’s attempt to rob my great relationship with GOD. I am satisfied with where, what and who I am in GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention abandonment when it comes to money?
• Have you ever thought GOD was not with you because of your lack of funds or things or people were not acting like you wanted them to?
• Will you use contentment, thankfulness and joy as weapons against the enemy’s attack on you so you can be satisfied wherever GOD sends you today?

Learned Satisfaction

Learned Satisfaction

Philippians 4: ¹² I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. ¹³ I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

 

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Tired of being poor, I sat and pouted. “Why do ‘bad’ people seem to get their way in life?” was my complaint to GOD. After my complaint, my car broke down. “This isn’t fair!” I complained.

 

• I was not satisfied with my life.
• Most of my thoughts and words were on problems in my life.
• “Everything” seemed bleak and I was not satisfied with the way things were.

 

At one time Paul was not content. He read the Law with fervor and was discontent with how other people lacked his conviction. He had people murdered because of his discontentment. GOD had to teach him a new way. He learned how to be content.

 

My Observations

• Being in need has a purpose with GOD that I sometimes do not understand.
• Having plenty can be dangerous because I can quickly forget I need GOD.
• Being content when I am in need or have plenty takes practice and is a gift given only from GOD.

 

Contentment is detestable to those who are never satisfied. I mean, if things have to go a certain way, those who are discontent will never reach satisfaction. After a while, even GOD cannot provide enough.

 

My discontentment can be detestable to GOD. Fortunately, HE understands. HE gently takes things away that I do not need and gives me an opportunity to say “Thank YOU for all YOU have done.” HE gives me things and I can say “Thank YOU for all YOU have done.” Yes it is the same statement because everything is HIS. I am glad HE gives me chances to learn how to be content.

 

Challenge

• How long do you think it took the writer to learn how to be content?
• Are there parts of your life that you are not satisfied with?
• Do you have complaints, worries or are dissatisfied with anything or anyone?
• Will you learn from GOD how to be satisfied in your situation, so you can be satisfied with other people HE wants to save today?

Paying Attention in Class

Isaiah 48: ¹⁷ This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.
¹⁸ If only you had paid attention to my commands,
    your peace would have been like a river,
    your well-being like the waves of the sea.
¹⁹ Your descendants would have been like the sand,
    your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be blotted out
    nor destroyed from before me.”

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Looking out the window, I could see the trees gently moving in the warm breeze. “Was that a squirrel?” I thought to myself. Then the teacher called on me and woke me up from my daydream. I should have been paying attention.

• There were times that I should have paid attention to what is important.
• There were times that I should have noticed what was going on.
• There were times that I should have stopped what I was doing and listened.

Listening to humans is one thing but listening to GOD is quite a different path. I listened to humans because of fear of a broken relationship or fear of loss of money and went down the wrong paths many times. GOD wants me to act differently.

• GOD wants to take care of me so I need to listen to HIM.
• GOD wants to grow me so I need to heed HIS commands.
• GOD wants to protect me so I need to “go” out and spread HIS message no matter where HE sends me.

Peace and security only comes from GOD. People will lead me to believe that money will bring that security or if I could just get that right job “then” I will have peace. GOD says to me “Pay attention to MY commands and you will have peace like a river.” HE takes care of my well-being and watches over my descendants.

• Is peace missing out of your life?
• Are you discontent and complaining to everyone?
• Will you stop looking and start connecting to GOD’s peace?
• Will you allow HIS perfect plan to be in effect in your life?

Growing Up Quietly

Psalm 131: ¹ My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
² But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

³ Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

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Memories are absolutely amazing, dancing around my head like little videos. My earliest memory is reaching for my bottle and knocking it over only to hear the sound of it shattering on the floor. Yes, it was glass. My weaning period from the bottle was difficult. I took to a famous cartoon character of the time, holding a facsimile of a blanket and sucking my thumb. The entire family tried to steer me from the dreaded thumb. Then one day, I just stopped and grew up.

• When I was a child I thought as a child.
• When I was a child I had to go through a weaning period.
• When I was a child I moved from one stage to the next, not knowing I could not stay at the last stage.

Growing up is sometimes difficult. The array of situations that can arise in life are vast, some great, some not so great. During these life events, I can run around screaming or I can relax and go through it in a different way.

• GOD wants me to get rid of any pride I may have.
• GOD wants my eyes to not desire the material things of this world.
• GOD wants me not to worry about matters HE is taking care of.
• GOD wants me to grow up.

Putting hope in GOD enables me to grow up. The harder the situation, the more I need GOD. I can no longer expect to drink from the bottle of life as a baby. GOD wants me to turn to HIM fully and place my hope in HIM always. GOD handles the matters that are greater than me.

• Are you still a child?
• Do you feel your life is out of control?
• Do you not know where to turn next?
• Can you place your hope in GOD?
• Will you stop concerning yourself with tomorrow and let GOD handle the “things too wonderful” for you?

Not Missed Until it is Gone

^Psalm126:4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

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Embarrassed but content was how I felt about my mustard yellow rust bucket of a car. The front end was torn to pieces and the headlights didn’t want to work at the same time. I would shrink away from those who would laugh at it, sometimes wanting a car that looked better. When the accident happened, I was back on foot. “Man I wish I had my rust bucket back.”

• When I complain about something, I am not appreciating it.
• When I complain about something, I think I deserve something better.
• When I complain about something, I look at the complaint as justified.

Instead of being grateful, my embarrassment turned into frustration, which lead to complaining. When my car was gone, I could no longer complain about it. I was back on foot, without the means to get around. GOD doesn’t like complaining. I have never seen an instance where GOD looked at complaining as an endearing quality. In fact, HE took things away from complainers leaving them begging for the little they had.

When GOD wipes out fortunes HE isn’t being mean or hateful. HE wants and deserves thankfulness for what HE has given me. HE deserves all the credit for anything HE provides.

• GOD provides for me and I should praise HIM for the little before I can praise HIM for plenty.
• GOD can give or take away the fortune HE has for me because it is HIS in the first place.
• GOD restores to who HE pleases, when HE pleases and it is up to me to be content wherever HE has me.

Worries seem to hover around money. I mean when I don’t have enough, I worry about bills. When I have too much I worry about losing it and spend an exorbitant amount of time protecting it. GOD says to me, “I AM your fortune. Seek ME first and I will provide your needs.” GOD restores and I am grateful!

• Has GOD wiped away your fortune?
• Do you feel like you are in a hole financially?
• Can you place your total trust in GOD instead of looking at riches?
• Will you follow HIS plan for you so HE can restore you fully at HIS time?

Throw away Discontentment

Psalm 67; ³ May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
⁵ May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

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Eight o’clock at night was the final phone call from the bill collector. My car was a junker and I barely made enough for rent. I hated going to the job because I could never get out of working to live and living to work. I went to bed grumpy and woke up the same way. How am I supposed to make it?

• When I am frustrated I do not have words of praise.
• When I am angry I do not have words of praise.
• When I am frightened I do not have words of praise.

Mt prayer life had been reduced to nil. I shrunk back away from the gawkers who ask “how are you doing”, knowing they really didn’t want to know. I really felt as if no one cared. BUT GOD said something different.

• GOD said to me “I AM here with you right now.”
• GOD said to me “The reason I say do not fear is because I have you protected.”
• GOD said to me “I see you and I know you and MY plan for you is great.”

I slowly began to pray again. Not daily, but here and there. My grumpy cloudy thinking cleared up to sunny skies. I was in the same situation but realized I was the one who wanted something different to happen and had not realized that GOD was blessing me. I soon realized that the quicker I can accept a situation, the faster my contentment can come.  I don’t mean I have to remain stagnant, but I can accept obstacles and keep moving.

I focused on my studies and graduated a year and a half later. GOD taught me an important lesson, start being content in the middle of the storm rather than waiting on the storm to end. This means thanking HIM and praising HIM and recognizing HIM even when things don’t seem to be going my way. HE IS there for me always!

• Are you lacking contentment?
• Do you yearn to be in another place in your life?
• Can you start being content in the middle of problems?
• Will you recognize the calling GOD has you in to see HE is opening your eyes to people you can now relate to?