Exodus 20:17

17          “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male slave, or his female slave, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

The Tenth Commandment

I have often understood this commandment as to not be jealous of what your neighbors have. It’s a way to remind us that we should be thankful for what God has given and gifted to us instead of yearning for what others have. I’ve never thought about why the house, wives, slaves, or animals are listed specifically – but I assume that it was because they were highly value property at the time.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What does covet mean to you?

Being Jealous of Others

The prohibition against coveting shows that sin starts at the heart. It addresses our inner desires and thoughts, so that we can focus on contentment and gratitude. The house describes the entire household and estate. In its ancient context, wives and servants were viewed as property because they were treated as part of a man’s wealth. Today, we must remember to reject this call to treat people as objects to be acquired or used. This command protects relationships and human dignity, not just possessions. Coveting animals like oxen and donkeys shows an increased want for wealth and productivity at the expense of someone’s work. Overall, we should respect others’ property and be content with our own possessions. It’s a focus to have a heart filled with gratitude and trust in God’s provision.

The original Hebrew word for covet is chamad (khaw-MAD). It talks about the social injustice that comes from violating interior boundaries of someone else. Coveting is more than needing the basics; it’s about the restless, comparative want for what others have – their home, relationships, status, and influence – until it consumes us and pushes us off the path that God has for us. The same thing could be said here in my opinion. We see the success of others and yearn to have that same sense of success. We can struggle for so long and see those around us thriving and get jealous of wanting the same thing for ourselves. We can start to be obsessed about what they are doing and trying to replicate their path of success rather than trying to focus on the path that God created for us. It’s good to learn from others. Coveting begins when we fixate on having their exact success, status, or relationship for our own glory, even if it means pushing them aside.

When someone tries to find success on their own, they tend to find pride and joy because of their actions. When someone tries to replicate their success, people can find some joy and honor in that, but some people can find a sense of rudeness and irritation with it. Someone may try and go and take their path, their resources, their peers, their influence and more to try and achieve the same fame and fortune for themselves. They will do this solely for the attention, the rewards, and more. God’s path is unique to each of us. We need to stay true to the path that God created for us rather than focus on how we can replicate the success of others.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: What do you do when you feel jealous of someone else?

Trusting in God’s Provision

Paul talks about how to find contentment in the world in Philippians 4:11-12:

11          Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

12          I know how to get along with little, and I also how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Paul teaches the Church in Philippi that he has learned how to be content with everything that he has and has dealt with. Paul has suffered and has prospered. No matter his situation, he learned the art of satisfaction no matter what he has dealt with it. Paul suffered with being beat and flogged to almost death multiple times, been shipwrecked, chased out of towns before, and more. There’s a lot that Paul has suffered, not even mentioning his former job responsibilities with the Pharisees when he was known as Saul.

The thing to take away from what Paul was describing is that we can find contentment no matter what our situation. We can find the best path that allows us to make sure that our needs are met. We can make sure that no matter what our circumstances, we can have a roof over our head, food in front us, water accessible, and clothes on our back. Sometimes we cannot provide these things for ourselves, but we can ask for help, sign up with different agencies to obtain resources, and work towards getting back to a stable place in our lives. However, we can do all of this with the confidence that God will provide and has our backs in everything we do.

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How can you find God’s provision in your life today?

Next series: Worshiping God Alone || You Have Heard It Said || Part 1