This study was taught at our Sunday evening service by Sim Forder, one of our pastors, on the 5th July 2020. You can listen to the audio on this web page or save it for later listening.

This is the eleventh in a series of studies on the Ten Commandments (you can find the introduction here). At the start of the study we reviewed some foundations that are important when trying to understand the purpose of each law:

• The heart of the matter, is the matter of the heart
• The law exposes our sin
• The law leads us to Jesus
• We are saved by grace, not by works
• Having been saved, we should show our faith by our works
• If you love Jesus, keep His commandments
• God has given us His commandments for our benefit

This study focussed on the tenth commandment that God gave to Moses on Sinai:

You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.

Exodus 20:17

This law is good in that it exposes our sin. Yet, sadly our society is so comfortable with coveting… In a 2017 YouGov survey, 28% of Brits did not believe this commandment was important today, the highest number for any of the six commandments to do with our relationship with our fellow man. Another 11% were not sure, while 61% thought it was still important – however, perhaps this is underestimating how comfortable we are with it.

If we look at so much of the marketing and advertising around us – it is designed to draw us to the product or service. To convince us that we need it now – whether or not we actually do. Rather than call for a ban on all advertising, we should be on our guard – we should take this seriously. Because when we buy into the message that we need something, and then we see someone else with that thing – we can quickly move to coveting.

Paul writes this to the Ephesian church;

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:1-7

The opposite, and really the antidote of coveting is contentment, for coveting is ultimately saying that we do not trust that God’s provision is sufficient for our needs – whereas being content says that we trust that God has provided us with all that we need for that moment.

Coveting causes us to question God’s goodness, while being content says we submit to God’s sovereign will. Of course, needing something is OK, as is knowing that need. And desiring something is OK, so long as for good reasons, and not to consume on our lusts, as we are warned of in James chapter 4. 

As we choose to do this, there are many valuable lessons that we can learn through being content with what we have; whether that is our lot forever, or for a season.

In our study, we concluded that are three things we need to make a note of, to help us covet less, and be more content;

• Pray – see Psalm 119:36-37
• Pursue the right things – see 1 Timothy 6:6-11
• Be prepared to learn – see Philippians 4:11-13

The full study is available for download from this page.