Thou Shalt Not Covet

Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”

Looking at another study on Covetousness, they point out that this is the broadest prohibition of the Ten Commandments, spilling over to numerous portions of the Scripture. This commandment gives us three different views of “covet.” The initial commandment in Exodus 20:17 uses the Hebrew word “chamad”, which means “to delight in.” The repeated commandment in Deuteronomy 5:21 uses the word “avah”, which translates “to wish for.” And the applied commandment in Jeremiah 6:13 uses the word “batsa”, which is “to be greedy.”

The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “Covet” as; to desire inordinately; to desire that which it is unlawful to obtain or possess; in a bad sense (as in God’s Commandment).

Many theologians have noted that one of these forbidden sins is actually the root of many evils. This forbidden sin is covetousness.  Covetousness does have a broader application in that it includes inordinate desires for anything that we do not have. It is easy to see how this sin leads to all others. Ungodly desires for people other than one’s own spouse lead to adultery. Coveting another’s wealth leads to theft. Inordinately desiring power and prestige can lead to lies, murder, idolatry, and other forms of sin.

Colossians 3:5 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth:

fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

If we are not careful, covetousness can become one of those things that causes us to stumble and to be disqualified from the race of faith. However, God in his mercy has given us this warning to cultivate the perseverance of the saints. The solution is, as the rest of the passage says, to be content with what we have. For the great salvation that has been granted to us is the only thing that we will ever need. 

Are you content with what you have? Or is there something that is not yours that you covet? In prayer, ask the Lord to reveal those things that you covet. Take some steps to avoid this sin. God does not tolerate covetousness. The Bible is clear: Those that covet are never satisfied and have leanness sent to their souls. May our Lord protect us from giving in to covetousness.