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Do Not Covet
November 24, 2018

In studying the ten commandments, it is easy to see the first four commandments focus how we show respect to God and how the final six commandments show how we love other people. The final commandment is to not covet anything that is not ours that we might encounter. The Hebrew word transliterated as chamad means pleasant and greatly beloved. That means we are not to consider something or somebody and have desire for that person or object.

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.

Yet, advertising suggests we should covet what we see. People love food, cars, things, and ideas almost to the point of forgetting to have love for other people. Many look at this as the tenth of the ten commandments, and for those who see this, they have done well. Many overlook in the New Testament, Paul links coveting to idolatry, and this brings the commandments together in a circular fashion without end. The first of the ten commandments tells us to have no gods before God, and the second of the ten commandments tells us to not make any graven image of God. These first two commandments are about not having idols in place of God. We can worship God and overlook we may be also worshiping our house, our cars, our televisions, etc. When we compare what we have to what others have and desire what others have, Paul says we have made the object of that desire an idol, a replacement for God. This type of attitude will keep us from the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:1-5
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Instead of desiring things we encounter on this earth, we need to be desiring those things which are spiritual as these are aligned to God and our future receipt of these spiritual and heavenly gifts is contingent on God's accepting of us as eternal daughters and sons. By seeking these things we seek God and there is no sin in seeking God.

Colossians 3:1-5
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Paul reminds us again of the need to separate from earthly desires and again reminds us of the need to to avoid covetousness, because at its root, covetousness is idolatry.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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