Exodus 20:1-20
Verse 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
This is one of those commands we don’t like to think about because it is one we all struggle with at one time or another. It is especially difficult in this day and age as we are bombarded with ads and displays of extravagant living. There are so many things which vie for our attention and it is easy to see what our neighbors have and wish we had that version or upgraded model.
When we see the things others have it is easy to want what we don’t have and not be content with what we do have. That is the truth behind this command, it isn’t that God doesn’t want us to have anything nice but He wants us to be content with what He has given us. We don’t need all the latest things to be content and if we think we do, we are missing what our focus should be on.
Contentment isn’t something marketing companies want to be widespread but the Lord is commanding us to be content. Being content isn’t about being miserly, self-sufficient or gloating we have less than others, it is being satisfied with what we have. Being satisfied with what we have allows us to appreciate the things God has given us and helps us see all the ways He provides for us.
When we start looking at all the other things we want in the world it becomes easier to start thinking more about them than we do about spiritual things. It can also cause us to think badly about those who have the things we want but don’t have. Like the other commandments on the second part of the list, not obeying this command can interfere with our relationship with other people.
Contentment isn’t something we should take pride in. As with any command we can turn it into a thing of pride if we look at it as our doing the work to obey. We can’t keep any of these commands on our own, this is why we need the Holy Spirit’s help and having an open relationship with the Holy Spirit requires living a repentant life. We must repent of our desire for things of this world because they draw us away from the Lord. If we want revival in our lives, churches, nation and world, we need to look where our desires really lie and repent of how those desires affect our relationship with God and others.
Making It Personal
How often do you find yourself saying things like, “I’d really like that” or “I wish I had that?” Do you ever ask those questions about godly traits? What do you need to start desiring today?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you ever say you wish you had something a friend has? Are you thankful for the things you do have? What should you thank Jesus for today?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent of all the times we have desired the things of this earth more than You or our relationships with those around us. Give us hearts which don’t desire things which are temporal but those which will last through eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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