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?

Your Part

Your Part

Acts 6: Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. ² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

⁷ Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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“Go clean the ashtrays” was the disgusting task given to me. But I was so happy to have a job, that I did it with fervor. I wiped tables and put bowling balls away. Years later, I got a high paying position, well it was high paying to me.

“Take notes in the meeting” someone said to me. “How dare they!” I grunted under my breath. I mean, I have a title and they want me to do this menial task?

• There were times when I wanted a title someone else had.
• There were times when I felt I was above certain tasks.
• There were times when I thought someone else’s part was more important than the part I had.

The apostles were preaching the word of GOD and many came to believe. Even some of the church leaders became believers in JESUS and were obedient. Everyone did their part in harmony.

• GOD wants me to do my part, knowing it is extremely important.
• GOD wants me to look at my part as being great no matter what other people think.
• GOD wants me to use my part as a service to HIM using wisdom and the HOLY SPIRIT as my guide.

Excitement to serve is what GOD is looking for. HE knows the titles are all the same. But when I look at how many followers a person has and get jealous, I may desire to stop doing my part and want to do theirs.

Back to the ashtrays. I was young and had freshly believed in the LORD. Someone asked me why I smiled as I picked up trash. I replied, “Because JESUS saved me and gave me this job” without worry of retribution. GOD wants me to be that person again. I am grateful HE gives me second, third and fiftieth chances.

• Are you jealous or complaining about what you are doing?
• Do you think your part is beneath you?
• Will you use the wisdom of GOD and the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT to do your part to being people to the kingdom today?

Cure for Jealousy

Psalm 37: ¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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It was easy to stay away from the thugs of my day. Petty crime and thievery was about the worst that it would get. Then I saw a new wave of thug emerge with flashy cars and clothes to match. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” It was still easy for me to avoid them but others flocked towards their glitter.

I went my way, worked hard and met some wonderful corporate minded people along the way. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” Wait, didn’t I hear that somewhere before? It must have been my imagination. I was envious of the corporate mogul.

• No matter where I am I can get envious.
• No matter how little or how much I have, I can get jealous.
• No matter what the cost, I can get green-eyed.

It seemed like the “tough” and the “arrogant” and the “mean spirited” people would get their way most often, meanwhile I was left to fend on my own, working hard for little reward. I mean why do they get all the rewards and I have to do all the work? BUT GOD hears and knows.

• GOD says to me “Trust in ME and do good and you will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
• GOD says to me “Take delight in ME and I will give you the desires of your heart.”
• GOD says to me “Be still before ME and wait patiently for ME; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Success of those who harm others is short lived. Yes it seems like they have the bigger bank accounts, bank rolls or Benz’s BUT GOD says I want you to follow ME on MY path, not theirs. GOD’s path means my eyes are open to those who hurt and are in pain. It means telling someone they are forgiven, no matter what sin they have committed. GOD says “MY way is the right way and I will bless you for following ME.”

• Are you jealous?
• Do you have envy of those who do wrong?
• Are you secretly looking over what they do so you can be like them?
• Can you turn your heart to GOD?
• Will you stop being envious of them and delight in following GOD?

Wish Prosperity on Your Enemies

Esther 6: ⁶ When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” ⁷ So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor,⁸ have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. ⁹ Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

¹⁰ “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

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They brought me in a small room and asked me if the other guy would be a good fit for the top position of the company I interviewed for. This was strange to me. “Why ask me?” I thought to myself. If I answer “He’s horrible, pick me” it could show I’m not a team player, on the other hand if I say “He’s great” then I may be giving the position up. What should I do?

• Many times I have had to face my ego.
• Many times I have had to face the choice of slandering versus speaking highly of a person.
• Many times I have had to face getting passed over.

Wishing the demise of someone feels so good at the time, especially if that person has been very irritating to me. When I see them go down in flames I feel great because maybe I can get their spot. BUT GOD desires something different of me.

• GOD wants me to delight when HE places people above me so I can serve as JESUS served me.
• GOD wants me to enjoy when HE blesses people I don’t like, because it shows HE is truly unbiased in HIS view and has even forgiven me.
• GOD wants me to sing praises when HE does great things in other folk’s lives because it shows HIS power and majesty over everything.

Pouting when someone else “wins” is a sure sign of immaturity on my part. In fact, just the thought of someone “winning” is immature. If I am part of GOD’s kingdom then I should delight in what HE is doing all around me. HE loves when I change my pouting into praise. The more I can truly praise HIM for blessing others the more HE blesses me either in this life or the next.

• Are you pouting over someone’s prosperity?
• Are you on the side of slander or speaking well about “that” person?
• Can you realize that maybe your attitude towards other people may be why GOD holds blessings back from you?
• When will you mature and wish others the best like GOD wants the best for you?

I’m Jealous

1 Samuel 18: ⁶ When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. ⁷ As they danced, they sang:

“Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands.”

⁸ Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” ⁹ And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.

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Sitting at my desk I excitedly filled out the forms to get my new company car.  I turned them in with great anticipation of the new car smell and an updated model. Days later the HR person called me in her office and said I had to get a car that someone else had driven for a while.  “Why do I have to drive a hand-me-down?” I thought to myself.

• When I get jealous I am blind.
• When I envy something I can’t see.
• When I covet something I am sightless.

Jealousy is the beginning of demise.  When I see someone else get ahead and I sit struggling, I get jealous and cannot see what GOD is doing in my life. I find myself looking over the fence at my neighbors’ yard rather than paying attention to my own. Once jealousy flares up then my compassion goes down.

• GOD wants me to celebrate when HE blesses others.
• GOD wants me to recognize HE is blessing me.
• GOD wants me to know HE loves me during trials and in times of peace.

Discouragement is definitely a tool of the enemy to try to break my spirit. It makes me question where GOD is and enrages me with the blindness of jealousy. GOD wants me to spit out my bitterness and focus on HIS everlasting love.

• Are you bitter?
• Do you think “that” person is the problem?
• Can you focus on what GOD is doing in your life and not anyone else’s?
• Won’t you praise GOD today?

Are you jealous yet?

Romans 9: ¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

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Looking at the news I saw another singer who had lived their life reckless meet some sort of demise. With little sympathy I thought “serves them right.” “I mean if I had their money, I would do something good with it!”

• Jealous is actually anger at GOD’s plan.
• Envy is actually a form of saying to GOD “YOU did this wrong.”
• Covetousness is actually a statement to GOD that HIS grace is not sufficient enough and I want more!

Usually when I pout about what someone else has or does, it is because I want what they have. My jealous, envious, covetous heart seeks something that is not mean for me. I whine like a child pointing at the things GOD is trying to keep away from me. Then I throw out a statement, “Haven’t I been good?” as if that is supposed to move GOD to give me what I want.

• GOD raises up who HE wants to raise up for HIS purpose so I should not be jealous of HIS choice.
• GOD tears down who HE wants to tear down so I should not be angered if HE chooses me.
• GOD has mercy on who HE wants to have mercy on so I should not get upset when my enemies prosper.
• GOD hardens who HE wants to harden but my acts of love toward them are still very important.

One would say, “Well what’s the use? If GOD is going to do what HE is going to do then I don’t have a choice!” GOD has given me choices and will help me along with those choices. If I choose to be greedy then a terrible thing could happen. HE could enable me to be wealthy and harden my heart to never give, and then HIS wrath would be against me and my greed.

“What?! I thought GOD was merciful!” you say. YES, GOD is infinitely merciful, grace-filled and loving, but HE wants me to point my life in HIS direction. You see, GOD is a jealous GOD and wants my complete attention.

• Is your attention focused on looking for some relationship outside of GOD’s will?
• Are you looking to obtain more stuff or keep your stuff?
• Are you jealous of someone who is doing “better” than you?
• Can you focus on the plan GOD has for you without jealousy, envy or covetousness?