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What does it mean to covet something? It is to have an inordinate desire for something that rightfully belongs to somebody else. “You shall not covet” is the tenth of the Ten Commandments. From it we learn that it is possible to covet virtually anything: “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” (Exodus 20:17).
There’s nothing wrong with desiring something. However, when what we desire is out of line with the will of God for us, then our desire has been misplaced. Desiring what rightfully belongs to somebody else is a prime example of misplaced desire. It is the wrongful, excessive, rapacious misdirection of our God-given ability as human beings to desire things. It is selfish in nature, because it ignores the rightful claims to something that belongs to somebody else. It is easy to see why God forbade covetousness.
When we covet what belongs to somebody else we are also not being content with what we have. Although we may have everything we need, what we already have never seems to be enough. The Apostle Paul told us, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11), but the covetous never seem to learn this lesson. To be covetous, then, is a deeply frustrating and unhappy state of being, because the covetous cannot be happy until they acquire what they cannot have and should not have.
In the final analysis, covetousness is the failure to believe that God will take care of us and provide for us; the failure to believe that God will never leave us nor forsake us. The covetous are not thankful and grateful for what God has already given them and are not willing to wait for Him to provide any legitimate needs they have.
Instead, the covetous desire what God has provided for someone else.
Today, be content with what God has given you. Trust Him to provide whatever else you may need. And don’t desire what belongs to somebody else.
There’s nothing wrong with desiring something. However, when what we desire is out of line with the will of God for us, then our desire has been misplaced. Desiring what rightfully belongs to somebody else is a prime example of misplaced desire. It is the wrongful, excessive, rapacious misdirection of our God-given ability as human beings to desire things. It is selfish in nature, because it ignores the rightful claims to something that belongs to somebody else. It is easy to see why God forbade covetousness.
When we covet what belongs to somebody else we are also not being content with what we have. Although we may have everything we need, what we already have never seems to be enough. The Apostle Paul told us, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11), but the covetous never seem to learn this lesson. To be covetous, then, is a deeply frustrating and unhappy state of being, because the covetous cannot be happy until they acquire what they cannot have and should not have.
In the final analysis, covetousness is the failure to believe that God will take care of us and provide for us; the failure to believe that God will never leave us nor forsake us. The covetous are not thankful and grateful for what God has already given them and are not willing to wait for Him to provide any legitimate needs they have.
Instead, the covetous desire what God has provided for someone else.
Today, be content with what God has given you. Trust Him to provide whatever else you may need. And don’t desire what belongs to somebody else.
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God’s Word transforms our lives—healing, guiding, and changing the way we live. When we need encouragement to begin the day, a reminder to keep us going, or the comfort only God can give, Rooted in His Word will keep you grounded in His Word. Rooted in His Word Daily Devotions give us helpful, everyday lessons so God’s Word will accomplish its purpose in our lives.
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