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?

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?

Rich and Satisfied

Rich and Satisfied

1 Timothy 6: They think that religion is a way to become rich.

⁶ Well, religion does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. ⁷ What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! ⁸ So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. ⁹ But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows.

 

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Lugging the latest camcorder and a suitcase full of items of convenience, I went on my first mission’s trip. I thought I had seen poor people before, but this place really opened my eyes. We went out into the rural area and ran into a family. When we stopped, the owner of the “hut” invited us over. He bragged that he had a cow, chickens and a lemon tree. He was satisfied and I was worried about my material things.

 

• I wanted the latest things.
• I wanted more and more comfort items.
• I wanted to be satisfied, but never could find it.

 

Paul spoke harshly about false preachers whose purpose in life was to dream up other philosophies outside of JESUS to become rich. He then speaks to Timothy about the dangers of pursuing becoming rich. He explains “foolish and harmful desires” can and will pull them into ruin and destruction.

 

My Observations

• Being content with what GOD has provided is more important than the next latest thing.
• Being satisfied with what HE has done changes my attitude about what HE should be doing.
• Being gratified is a position of thanksgiving GOD gets excited about when I supply it.

 

True wealth comes from knowing GOD and by belief in JESUS as the Savior. I mean, HE gives me all the warning signs to avoid and provides a path to contentment. Unfortunately, the world tries to pull me away from being content.

 

The need for more stuff, more clothes, more gadgets and more storage for the stuff makes me discontent. The insatiable appetite of wanting more then drives me to worry, work impossible hours and lie about “needing” the stuff for self-care. I am glad GOD opens my eyes to my lusts so HE can make me satisfied with what HE has given me..

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about loving money?
• Have you ever worried about finances so much that you got mad at GOD?
• What would happen if you had less than what you have now?
• Will you be satisfied, content and gratified over what GOD has provided and praise HIM for HIS provisions 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?

Glue of Peace

Glue of Peace

Ephesians 4: ³ Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ there is one God and Father of all people, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all.

 

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Seeking to “win”, we met as a team. One group was doing things different than the way we expected. We met to counter what they were doing and came up with a plan. None of us slept well when that plan failed. We were tired of the battle.

 

• I thought “I” could be right as long as I was on the winning side.
• I figured something was “wrong” with them because a group of us saw things a certain way.
• I was ready to “fight” and lost sleep because I was trying to do my part to control other people.

 

Paul urges everyone to “preserve the unity” which is given by the HOLY SPIRIT. He then explains what that looks like, just in case people were seeking a relative truth. He points to the only winning side, namely to follow CHRIST.

 

• There is one body and one SPIRIT and one hope that GOD has called me to.
• There is one LORD, one faith and one baptism to which I base my life.
• There is one GOD and FATHER of all people who is LORD of all, works through all and is in all, even a sinner like me.

 

Peace is what the HOLY SPIRIT uses to bind all of us together. I mean, when I am at peace, problems seem smaller, aches seem to go away faster and the future seems brighter. But when I feel discontent, people are a problem, circumstances seem to linger forever, I lose sleep and aches and pains nag at me.

 

Discontent seems to be the enemy of peace. This can breed in me the feeling that I need to fight or control or “lose.” BUT GOD wants me bound together with HIS family. HE knows how messy my life can be and wants me to have peace anyway so I can be unified with other messy people. I am glad GOD gives me “one” path

 

Challenge

• What “unity” is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever looked at other people as being the cause of your problems?
• What accountability is GOD calling you to?
• Will you take “blame” or “discontent” or “rage” from your first actions and replace it with “unity” by means of “peace” from the HOLY SPIRIT today?

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?

What Goes Around Comes Around

Psalm 7: ¹⁴ Whoever is pregnant with evil
    conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
¹⁵ Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
    falls into the pit they have made.
¹⁶ The trouble they cause recoils on them;
    their violence comes down on their own heads.

¹⁷ I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness;
    I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

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“I’m gonna tell” were my words to my brother. We had gotten into an argument over something trivial and my method of resolution was to bring in the judge.  Moments into court my expectations of a favorable ruling turned into dismay when I realized I was now on trial. My parents quickly cross examined my motive and sentence was passed. We both got it!

• When I sow seeds of discord I reap discord.
• When I sow seeds of discontent I reap discontentment.
• When I sow seeds of disruption I reap disruption.

Looking back, GOD thwarted my evil plans every time. It seemed like other people could get away with things but when I tried I would get caught. When I would get mad at someone I was the one who had to bring peace otherwise I would fall into a hole.

• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE, I will repay” so I can’t repay evil with evil.
• GOD says to me “Love one another” so my evil plans will fall apart if I am not acting in love.
• GOD says to me “Whatever you sow is what your will reap” so my evil seeds will grow along side of my good seeds.

GOD is not a “respect of persons”, in other words HE is not prejudiced at all. HE does not like evil from me or anyone else. HE puts me in the same pot with others when I think I should be in the “special” pot. But then I realize, this is a good thing. HE sees other people as righteous just as HE sees me. HE gave HIS SON to all who believe and it is my job to sow the seeds GOD gave me.

• What seeds are you sowing into the lives around you?
• Are you sowing seeds of grace or complaint?
• Have you complained about “that” person to others?
• Will you begin to sow the seeds of “Love” “Hope” and “Grace” into people?

Where does my fear come from?

1 John 4: ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

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“Come into my office” snorted my gruff boss. “We’re sending you to lead a new division” he grunted with a look of dissatisfaction. “Why? Did I do something wrong?” I replied. I mean, I thought I was doing everything right.  I quickly tried to retrace my footsteps.

“This is a good thing! Quit worrying!” was his reply. I had no idea this move was from the head of the department which was my a few levels above my boss.

• Sometimes I think the worst is going to happen to me.
• Sometimes I think GOD is punishing me because I’m not getting my way.
• Sometimes I look into the future and I see problems, fears and doubts.

When I wake up worrying about bills, job status, or acceptance, I had no idea I wasn’t “trusting” GOD. I believe in HIM and even know about HIM but where is my trust “in” HIM? I am a planner with a flaw. I try to “plan” my way out of situations ordained by GOD and instead of trusting that HE knows what HE is doing, I fret at potential losses and casualties. What can I do about this?

• GOD wants me to trust HIS plan even when it seems different than my goals.
• GOD desires that I trust HIM especially during difficult times.
• GOD wishes that I trust HIS unfailing love for me instead of looking at HIM as the great punisher.

I guess that’s why GOD doesn’t want me to sin.  Not because when I sin, HE has to punch me in the face rather when I sin, I run away from GOD in fear of retribution from HIM. My sin causes doubt in GOD’s plan and soon I doubt HIS love and I become a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.

GOD wants me to trust HIM to let HIM take things away from me as well as give me things when I can handle them. HIS perfect love removes my fear.

• Are you worried about something?
• Do you know GOD has a great plan for you?
• Can you believe HE can’t wait to see you succeed?
• Won’t you accept that the FATHER, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT are all pulling for you?

Peaceful Contentment

Philippians 4: ¹²I 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, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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Money was my motivator. You want me to do something, show me the money. Little did I know I had a greater motivator, namely fear. When the account was slipping away from us I worked extremely hard to keep everything going.

I worked thirty six hours straight, forsaking meals and family. We still lost the account and I found myself on the “bench.” “If I stayed there too long I could lose my job”, I thought to myself. I missed the fact that leaving my family and forgetting my health may have caused problems. 

• When I am poor I worry about paying bills.
• When I am in the middle I worry about becoming rich.
• When I am rich I worry about losing my wealth.
• When I am discontent I complain about GOD’s plan.

Each of my worries shows my discontentment. GOD couldn’t possibly be right with “this” plan I would think to myself. I mean HE wants me to keep moving forward right? Maybe… but with what kind of attitude?

It seems like I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop. In other words I am always waiting for things to “get better” rather than looking at the greatness that’s going on around me. 

• GOD wants me to have peace in the middle of each storm.
• GOD wants me to be content when HE gives me plenty and when HE takes my wealth away.
• GOD wants me to have peace during times of crisis.
• GOD wants me to be content when things aren’t going quite the way I planned.

From the inconvenient car accident to the bag of money falling out of the sky, GOD wants me to view HIS plan as being great. HE desires that I follow HIM and look to HIM for my strength rather than looking at my wealth.

• Are you seeking more money or more stuff?
• What trinket or gadget or title or group is holding you back from your contentment?
• Can you assess you desire to see if it is greater than your love for GOD?
• Are you willing to leave that thing and accept what GOD wants you to have?
• Can you focus your ambitions on what GOD wants?

Accept GOD’s methods and plans

Luke 23: ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

 ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

 ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 ⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

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Many times I expect GOD to act like Hollywood’s special effects department. I think when I have a problem some angel with a fuzzy glow would come and speak to me telling me a special message. I also think GOD should zap my problems away just like in the movies. That’s how I approach prayer sometimes, with “Hollywood” expectations.

• Setting false expectations of GOD actually builds a barrier between me and HIM.
• Setting false expectations of GOD gets my hopes up so high that they have a longer way to hit the ground.
• Setting false expectations of GOD is actually arrogant especially when I’m telling HIM the plan to execute.

One of the criminals in this historical setting didn’t really believe in the Messiah, rather he heard JESUS could do tricks to help others. “Maybe I could get healed” could have been his thought as he insulted JESUS. He had a false expectation that JESUS would help him and his stony heart.

When I look at myself, I do the same as the insulting criminal. I treat GOD as common like HE is a pal, a peer or sometimes my servant.

• I get upset at GOD for giving, who I call evil people, all the wealth and power they want while I see people who try to serve HIM suffer.
• I get mad at GOD for not fixing my situation right away and even still bringing another situation into my life before the first is fixed.
• I get angry at GOD for answering my prayer differently than I “expected.”

GOD’s plans cannot be changed by my prayer for many times my prayers are bathed in selfishness. HE actually changes me when I pray to be more accepting of HIS plans and HIS ways. HE changes my mind to forget “me” this time and to serve others like HE does.

• Are you mad at GOD for not doing things your way?
• How willing are you to ask HIM to keep you in the situation for as long as necessary to truly change you into what HE wants?
• Will you admit to HIM you are a sinner and allow HIM to bring you into paradise?  

Is GOD pleased with me?

Matthew 3: ¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

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“Life is too short to walk around angry” I said to myself as I pouted for not getting my way. My rage had stirred up and its full fury was ready to be unleashed because “those” people were absolutely going crazy with their sneaky deceitful ways.

When I looked in the mirror I realized some of the sneaky, deceitful things I have done over the years. Maybe this time I should handle things differently. Maybe I should use “grace” instead of “gotcha.” GOD was definitely “pleased” with that decision.

This passage is written in the Bible a couple of times and is extremely special.  It documents three distinct beings of GOD yet somehow they are one. They are equal. They are together.

I don’t know how they operate. Are they one because they agree with each other or are they physically one? All I know is they hung their entire plan on the ONE who chose to become human, namely JESUS.

• JESUS was baptized to show HIS agreement with the plan of dying for my sins.
• GOD the HOLY SPIRIT descended on JESUS showing HIS agreement with the plan to live inside my filthy body.
• GOD the FATHER said to HIS SON “YOU can do it” by stating “I am well pleased.”

I truly don’t know what is/was at stake when JESUS volunteered to become a human and walk in a way to never sin during HIS humanity. Did the FATHER bet HIS throne and put all of HIS trust in JESUS? Well… the Bible doesn’t say that, but it must be something so significant that the devil will stop at nothing to thwart their holy plan.

• The FATHER is pleased with JESUS and by my belief HE is pleased with me.
• The HOLY SPIRIT is pleased with JESUS, lives inside of me and begs the FATHER for forgiveness for me daily.
• JESUS is pleased with me because in the middle of the act of my sin, HE died for me.

No human can take me away from JESUS, not even myself. HE is with me always.

• Is GOD pleased with you?
• What are you trying to hide?
• Can you focus a small part of your life for GOD today?

Am I driven by “stuff”?

Philippians 4:  ¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

¹² 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, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

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School was about to begin in September which meant new clothes, but this time the shopping was different; my father was taking me instead of my mother. Now don’t get me wrong, Mom stood firm on the budget, but dad… well. “Let’s go to Goldblatt’s” is the exclamation that began our downward spiral of pitiful shopping.

When we arrived he said “here are some pants” of course this was a box of pants of all sizes and colors that had been rummaged through. “Can’t we go somewhere else?” I said, thinking I was going to get something with a little fashion. “Yes, we can go home!”

• Being discontent blinds me to real blessings.
• Being discontent fuels my complaints.
• Being discontent starts my worries.

Having nice things isn’t bad, nor is “not having” them. GOD wants me to be content with HIS plan no matter what state I’m in. What does being content mean?

• Being content means I can praise GOD no matter what the circumstance.
• Being content means I can tell people about what JESUS did for me in good or bad times.
• Being content means I can refrain from complaining long enough to tell someone about GOD’s greatness.

It actually is harder for me to be content when I have plenty. I know this is strange, but I find myself holding onto things more than I hold onto GOD. I lay awake worrying if my “stuff” will be taken or if I have enough money for “more stuff.”

Now I can see why GOD says “The love of money is the root or beginning of all kinds of evil.” My love of “stuff” can blind me to the real blessing which is GOD. In times of plenty GOD wants me to share my wealth. In lean times HE wants me to give up my pride and praise HIM anyway.

• Are you content with your situation?
• Have you been a chronic complainer?
• Do you see the blessings of GOD or are you blind?
• When someone points out a blessing to you do you say “yeah, but?”

Unity requires me to be content.

1 Corinthians 12: 21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment.

But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

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Sitting on the other side of the world lives a family of five in a house that is 6 feet by six feet. The roof is straw and the floor is kind of a homemade cement mixed with tar. The owner has cows, chickens and a lemon tree. As I met this owner the one thing I noticed was his smile and excitement to show what he had!

Through the years I remember this family. I’m sure they argue, but they all seemed content. This was a very different way of living that I used to pity and laugh at but there was unity and harmony that seems to be fading in our modern progressive part of the world.

• Selfishness causes me to be discontent.
• Wanting things makes me want other things.
• When I get the nice clothes or things it won’t be long before I want something else.
• Wanting “my way” and wanting to “be heard” is more dangerous than it seems.

What does having things or wealth have to do with the unity Paul writes about? My decisions for whether someone can “help me” or not is sometimes based on “what they can do for me” to increase my wealth or get my way.

• GOD wants me to be content with what I have in my possession “right now.”
• Relationships with others need to be based on what I can do for them not the other way around.
• Serving someone who has nothing is just as important as “serving the wealthy to increase my wealth.”

When I read this passage I first thought of diversity, then I thought of appreciating various gifts and talents, but I never thought of what prevents me from appreciating other people. The more content I am with my circumstance, the easier it is to “get along” with different people around me.

• Are you discontent?
• Do people get on your nerves easily?
• Do you have an “agenda” you are secretly trying to fill?
• Are you trying too hard to get your way and it’s frustrating that you aren’t?