Exploring the 10 Commandments: The Tenth Command
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“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” (Exodus 20:17).
We have come to our final commandment of the ten commandments. God wraps up His law to us with the command to not covet what other people have in this life. Indeed, coveting can lead us into breaking the other commandments.
Ultimately, the Lord wants us to be content in Him with what He has entrusted to us. Let’s dive into our study on the tenth commandment: Do not covet your neighbor.
Be Watchful of Comparison
I was tempted in this area last night. My husband and I were watching one of the home renovation shows that I love. Most of the time I am normally inspired; I love the creativity and enjoy getting ideas from the remodeling. However, this time was different, something in me became covetous. I had thoughts like, “What are we doing with our lives, we will never have a house like that?” Or “Should I have learned woodworking skills so our home could look like that?”
The truth is that my husband and I have been called to full-time ministry individually and together. This is a sacrifice of the “American Dream,” and it is stretching at times, but it is also really good for us. It keeps our mindset on our eternal reward and our home in heaven versus building a temporary “kingdom” here.
I know this and I know that I am not a skilled woodworker (and historically would probably not thrive in that) so I have used the giftings and skills that the Lord has provided me with for His glory in my life. This may not look like a beautiful, handcrafted kitchen island, a stunning wrap around porch, or an immaculate primary bathroom, but the investments that I have made into the lives of young women, those in my community, and especially my household have been so significant.
Who are you coveting right now? Is it a house, someone’s marriage relationship, someone’s business/success, someone’s possessions: cars, boats, pets, gardens, etc? It is very easy to fall into temptation to covet what belongs to a neighbor (aka any other person). This person might actually be your next-door neighbor, or he might be an influencer on social media miles away. We need to be careful and remember the Words of Scripture.
“I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).
Paul had a variety of experience in his lifetime, but he knew the secret to his joy was found in Christ. True contentment is only found in Jesus. We can have this by the help of God.
Godliness with Contentment Is Great Gain
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
As believers, when we covet, we forget that we already have our reward in Christ. We begin to shift our focus from Jesus the Savior and fixate on worldly things. We begin to desire the high-life and luxury instead of delighting in the Spirit and being grateful for our daily bread. Godliness with contentment is great gain. If someone is godly, but does not have contentment, this person can often be bitter, ungrateful, greedy, and negative. Contentment fuels our faith to see past the worldly treasures and hold tighter to the cross and the hope of heaven. When we are secure in our identity and our salvation, we can live out joyful lives no matter what material things we have or lack.
Jason Helopoulos from The Gospel Coalition shares, “Coveting relentlessly craves more of this world; and a person’s thoughts, affections, and heart occupied with the world will cease seeking heaven. It forsakes love for God and disposes one to hate their neighbor… It has rightly been said that when we break any of the first nine commandments, we also break the tenth commandment.”
Coveting within the Church
One of the saddest ways the enemy likes to divide the people of God is with coveting brothers or sisters in Christ. The church is supposed to function as a body, but coveting causes us to miss out on unity and friendship with one another.
When someone else gets the solo for the service, we can covet their opportunity or we can celebrate that God can use their gifts for His glory. When a couple is thriving in their marriage, we can covet the spouse that they have or we can cheer them on, pray for them, and be inspired in our own marriage or singleness. When someone is elected to the board of elders and you were not, you can covet this position or be grateful for how you get to uniquely serve the local church.
May we be careful and aware of our weaknesses and our thoughts that need to be taken captive to Christ. Sin begins with a thought. Thoughts can lead us into temptation if we do not deal with them. Following the tenth commandment means that we are keenly aware of our need to set our minds on things above and rid ourselves of our sinful desires though the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is only by His help that we can thrive as a church.
The Ten Commandments List
Commandments 1-4
Thou shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. (Exodus 20:4-6)
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)
Commandments 5-10
Honor your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12)
Thou shalt not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
Thou shall not covet your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17)
Jesus summed up all of the 10 commandments. As we look at commandments 1-4, they are vertical, about our relationship with God. (Love the Lord your God.) As we look at commandments 5-10, they are horizontal, about our relationship with others. (Love your neighbor as yourself.)
This week, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any thoughts or obsessions you have about possessions, positions, or people that belong to your neighbor. Ask for forgiveness for ways that you have coveted in the past and pray for the Lord to help strength you to be content and experience the great gain of joy as a believer in Jesus. Pray to have a mind that is set on kingdom vision and not worldly successes.
The full series on all 10 Commandments is below.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Yakobchuk Olena
