Thou shalt not covet / Thou shalt not steal.
Coveting and stealing are closely related. The majority of the time when someone gives into the temptation to steal, the first step was to covet. The word covet means to have a desire for, long for, lust after or sigh after something that does not belong to you. Coveting is an inward temptation of the heart and mind and the result of coveting causes people to envy, steal, commit adultery or even kill. Coveting is the fuel that leads to many sins. Let’s look at God’s command not to covet as found in Deuteronomy 5:
21 ’ You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’
The Bible tells us that the eyes of man are never satisfied. If we look at our own lives and the lives of the culture around us, we can see that this is absolutely true. A few years back a study was conducted where people in each economic level were polled and asked how much money would it take to satisfy them? The answer was almost identical for every person; each one thought that if they could double their income, they would be happy. The truth is that you will never be happy as long as you are striving for the things of this life. You cannot satisfy human nature. Our desires of the flesh can be temporarily gratified but never satisfied. As soon as the excitement of your gain wears off, you will want more. In our desire for more, covetousness is born.
I once heard a woman who called in to a radio broadcast who went on a tirade about how she despised rich people. She hated to see their houses, fancy cars and nice clothes when she was struggling to get by. She ended her tirade by saying, “I would give up everything I own just to see the rich lose their BMW’s. That would make me happy.” No it would not. If this were to happen, she would have glee for a moment, but she would soon return to the same mindset. Why are we focused on what our neighbor possesses? If we would set our hearts where it belongs, we would not be concerned with what our neighbor owns. Every thief feels justified in stealing because coveting causes us to look at what others have as though it should belong to us. Coveting shows that we have lost focus on what has eternal significance.
Setting our Focus
The desire to covet is not a new problem. The Bible addresses this issue constantly throughout the Old and New Testaments. God knows that we are in a body of flesh and that sin in our flesh is drawn by the glitz, glamour, pleasures and luxuries of this life. This is why we are constantly being reminded not to covet what we do not possess. It begins with not allowing our affections to be set on the world that is passing away. Look at 1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Lusting after the things of the world leads us directly into covetousness. When our focus is on the things of the world, this reveals to us that something needs to change in our heart. We are not in the love of God if our affections are in the world. Many churches teach their people to covet by saying that “We are going to take what is mine back from the world”. Isn’t this what the thief says when shoplifting or robbing someone they consider to be rich? They believe that they rightfully should have what they are stealing because of a skewed concept of fairness. Consider this quote taken from a discipleship training page on the youth with a mission website:
God has called his people to rise up and take back the wealth of the nations for his kingdom.
How does this compare to scripture? We have just read that if anyone desires the things of the world they are not in the love of God. God is not calling you to ‘recapture the wealth of the world’, but to set yourself apart for God with a focus on godliness and not covetousness. The devil did not take your wealth and you are not going to gain the world by claiming it. Do you realize that this is exactly what Satan tempted Jesus with when he took Christ on a high mountain, showed him the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Jesus did not desire the riches and glory of the world and the Bible has clearly stated that we also should not allow our hearts to fall into the desire for the things of this world.
Some try to make Jesus into a man loaded with money and riches in order to justify their own greed. The Bible warns against this by saying that false teachers will use persuasive words to exploit Christians for the purpose of fulfilling their own covetousness. Was Jesus rich? Consider the humble picture the Bible paints concerning Christ. He was born in a borrowed manger (Luke 2:7); He used borrowed jugs to turn the water into wine (John 2:6); He had no tax money so He sent Peter to catch a fish that would have a gold coin that would pay their portion of the temple tax (Matthew 17:24); twice Jesus borrowed someone’s lunch to feed the five thousand and four thousand people who needed food (Matthew 14:17 and Matthew 15:34); for Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem – the most significant fulfillment of prophecy for the Jews – He rode into town on a borrowed donkey (Matthew 21:2); Jesus conducted the last supper with His disciples in a borrowed upper room. Where is the wealth? Why did Jesus ask the rich young ruler to sell all, give to the poor, and follow Him if Jesus was living in luxury? Why did Jesus tell the people that if they wanted to see someone dressed in rich clothing to go to kings houses? Even more pointed is the fact that Jesus had His necessities supplied by others. Look at Luke 8:1-3
Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities -- Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Why did Jesus’ followers provide for Him from their substance? The gospel message is not the promise that we will live in luxury in this life, but that we die to ourselves in this life for the hope and glory God has promised us in the life to come. It takes no faith to look upon and desire personal wealth, but it takes much faith to lose your life for the hope of God’s promises. Look at Colossians 3:1-5
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
There are going to be times when our desire will draw our focus away from the things of God. This is a normal, human reaction – but then so is all sin. When our flesh rises up and attempts to draw us into these things, we put them to death as we set our hearts and focus on the things above. Resisting alone becomes an effort of the flesh to resist the flesh. The has very limited success or no success. We first must set our minds on the things above and as Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”. If your heart is in the world, your focus will be on the world and you will covet the things that God has not given you.
Does God want you to be rich? Maybe or maybe not. That question is truly irrelevant for everything we possess is from Him for His purpose. Look at 1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The Bible does not condemn those who are rich unless the riches are their focus. Unfortunately it is very, very difficult to keep the focus on the things above when wealth increases. Look at 1 Timothy 6:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It is ironic that everyone is desperately trying to get rich even though wealth is an hindrance to our eternal perspective. If we love money, it becomes the root of evil in our lives. Many who are rich do indeed stray from the faith. I have often thought about how hard it would be to be rich and faithful to God. Wealth opens the door to a life of entertainment such as social gatherings, boating, golfing, vacations, travel, clubs and an endless supply of entertainment. I don’t know if I could set quantity time aside for God if I had the money to fill up my off time with these things. Most people struggle to find time for God when they have hundreds of stations available on the TV; how then could we expect to discipline ourselves in a world of wealth. Few truly look at wealth as a resource to do good works as the Bible states.
Rather than focusing on what we want in this life, strive to set your heart and minds on the things above where true wealth is stored up for those who are faithful.
Coveting is a lack of Faith
The Lord has promised us that He will meet our needs and bless our lives. If we truly believe that our lives are being directed by the Lord, this should affect how we look at material possessions. Consider Hebrews 13:
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
It is no accident that the Bible first warns us not to let our conduct be influenced by covetousness and then immediately points us to our faith in God’s promise that He will never leave or forsake us. The Bible never condemns us for possessing money, but we are strongly warned not to allow money to become our focus. There are many doctrines that focus on wealth in the church today, but the Bible addresses this in 1 Timothy 6:5-8
5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content
The Bible warns us to withdraw from those who teach that godliness is a means to personal gain or materialism. The true gain is godliness and contentment for those who are focused on the things of God and content with what God provides are also secure in the hope of God’s promises for this life and the next. If you have faith, you will trust in the Lord and be content with what He provides.
Why do people envy? Why are we concerned with what our neighbor possesses? Why are we bothered by the honor, position, or status of another person? It is a lack of faith that causes these things. If you trust God, you will also trust Him to exalt you as He sees fit and you will also trust Him when He chooses to leave you in a position without honor or even when He humbles you. People who try to exalt themselves are not walking by faith. Those who resent when someone is honored, are not walking by faith. Human nature says, “I am more qualified, or I am just as good as that person” and seeks to be exalted. When we envy what someone has or envy the honor or rank of another person, we have fallen into covetousness. If we truly believe that God is directing our steps, we will accept all things from His hand knowing that He will place us where He chooses. Faithfulness is what God honors, not status. Then we can fulfill the command to rejoice when someone rejoices and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15-16).
Life More Abundantly
We should set our hearts to stand secure on this promise found in Psalm 36:7-9
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. 8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. 9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Do we believe God’s promise? This is only to those who trust under the shadow of God’s wings – if we cannot trust God, we have no assurance that we will be abundantly satisfied. Satisfaction does not come through possessions but the revelation of God through our lives. Nothing will give you greater satisfaction than seeing God’s hand leading your life and working in your heart. As your life changes and you see the fruit of the Spirit coming out in your life, you will find the abundance of God. Many materialistic teachers quote Jesus’ statement, “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly” and jump to the conclusion that abundance means wealth. If wealth was the abundant life then why are the rich struggling. Look at the rich and famous; do they appear to be content? Celebrities jump from marriage to marriage, drugs and alcoholism are rampant and their troubled lives are posted on every gossip magazine and website. Perhaps we should pray as King David did in Psalm 119:35-38
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.
Is wealth worthless? Ask anyone who has discovered that they only have a short time to live and see how valuable gold is. When Israel was judged for their sins, the gold that they valued so much was tossed out in the streets as worthless (Ezekiel 7:19). Judas valued money so much that he betrayed Christ for a bag of money. In the end it was so worthless to him that he threw it on the ground and left it behind on his way to take his own life. Peter says it well in 2 Peter 3:10-11
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
What do you think will happen to your possessions, property and money? Not one person will be measured on how much wealth they obtained and not one person in heaven will even remotely care about any worldly possession. This is why Peter asks the question, “[seeing the end of these things], what manner of person ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” We should live like things don’t matter and live by faith in God’s promise to provide for us and satisfy us.
It is so easy for us to get side-tracked into things that do not matter and set our affections on the things of this life. We are surrounded by a culture that lives for the moment and people whose lives center around pleasure and possessions. The Bible instructs us to renew our minds daily so that we are not drawn away or led astray. If you leave your spiritual life to chance, you will soon look up and wonder how you have gotten so far off course. We have to guard ourselves against these things or our flesh will follow its natural course and we will soon be walking by sight and not by faith. Consider this situation addressed by Jesus in Luke 12:13-15
13 Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15 And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
It is almost comical that this man asked this question at the time he did. Jesus was instructing His disciples to be prepared for persecution and not to get caught up into the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. This man was most likely impatiently waiting for an opportunity to speak and likely did not even hear the message because he was so distracted with his dilemma of not getting part of the inheritance that he thought was due him. Have you ever heard of families fighting over possessions after a parent has died? It happens all the time and while we feel like we have been wronged, God points us away from these things. Instead of saying, “Give your brother / sister their fair share”, God tells us that these things are not important. They are important to us because we value things that have little worth.
While it only makes sense from a human perspective that we should share in an inheritance of our family, God has instructed us to set our minds on the things above and to realize that our lives are not measured by the things we possess. When we feel cheated, God calls us to turn our focus away from what we have not received and take care not to allow our hearts to covet any of these things. It is easy to say this, but when our desire is for things, it is very hard to remove our focus from material things. That is why we should already be practicing righteousness and setting our hearts on the things above. Jesus warned that we cannot serve two masters. If our lives are lived for material things, we are not serving God and cannot serve God (Matthew 6:24-34). In this passage in Matthew, God has promised that the Lord will meet our needs and watch over our lives. This is a call to faith and we either put our trust in God, or serve money. This is reiterated in 1 Timothy 6:7-11
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Inevitably when I point these things out, some people will say that I am teaching against money or I am saying that it is wrong to have money. Not so. I am not saying that money is wrong; I am saying that money is irrelevant. God does indeed bless some with wealth and I also believe that God allows and even places many into poverty. The Bible does not promise that everyone will have a big house and nice cars; the Bible promises that God will supply our needs. The problem is that what we think are needs in truth are luxuries. We covet and go into heavy debt and then expect God to miraculously provide a means to pay for that debt. God has not promised that He will give you the monthly payments for your big screen TV or fully loaded SUV. If we would only look at the passage above from 1 Timothy and take it to heart. If we have food and clothing we should have a thankful heart and be content.
Do not buy into the lie that God wants you to be rich. If God wants you to be rich, He will provide this opportunity to you without you having to make this the focus of your life. God does not condemn us for having wealth, but He does condemn us for desiring to be rich and warns us that this leads to harmful lust, draws us into destruction and perdition which will drown our souls. Destruction is a ruined life and perdition is a ruined soul. Thirty-seven times we are warned in the Bible against coveting. In spite of these warnings and the Lord pleading with us not to be drawn into these things, people continue to make this the focus of life.
Since covetousness cannot satisfy, cannot make us content, cannot give us an abundant life, why are we so determined to live this way? Since covetousness causes us to be pierced with many sorrows, draws us into destruction, drowns us into lust and perdition and drowns our soul, why are we so determined to live for these things? God has given a final warning above, “but you flee these things”. Do we understand the concept of fleeing? It means to run for your life. Have you ever seen a crowd in panic? People are shouting and running away from danger as fast as they can. This is the message of the gospel – flee these things for they will destroy your soul. This has eternal consequences.
Our pursuit should be on the things that truly do have significance – godliness, righteousness, faith, love, patience, gentleness and the things of the Spirit. This is where true wealth is found. If you pursue these things, you will find the abundant life Jesus promised. You cannot find satisfaction or the abundant life outside of God’s word as you apply His truth to your life. Godliness should be the focus of the Christian’s life. By faith we are content and resting in the Lord. In prison, Paul made this statement in Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
Are you content? If not, the problem is in the affections you have set your heart upon.
Overcoming Covetousness
Let’s visit a passage we have used several times in this series. Look again at Romans 13:9-10
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
If you love your neighbor, can you desire to have what belongs to Him? To love is to seek the good of another. Can you love someone and seek their good while stealing from them? Clearly not. The Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins, but covetousness leads us into sin. God removed prosperity from Israel when one man coveted and took money and nice clothes from the city of Jericho after God declared these things to be cursed (Joshua 7:19-21). His coveting caused him to follow his desires and disobey God.
Coveting takes us out of the will of God and we are warned that it should not ever be a part of the Christian’s life. Look at Ephesians 5:3-10
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 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. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Anyone who follows those who teach that we are to covet riches and take back what the world possesses has stepped out of God’s will and cannot inherit God’s promises. “Do not be partakers with them”. Could it be any clearer? Is it worth it to covet and be rejected from your inheritance that God has guaranteed to those who fear and obey His word? Covetousness causes us to go astray from the path of life and fall under God’s wrath. The Bible warns against the teachers of the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’ in 2 Peter 2:14-15
14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Do we not see this in practice today? Books, discipleship material, preachers and teachers train the members of our churches in covetous practices and cause them to become accursed children. The Bible gives us a very serious warning; therefore, “do not be partakers with them”. In these scriptures we are warned over and over again that – just as people forsook the right way and followed the lusts of the world, many doctrines compete with the word and even twist the word as they promise that we can have it all right now with no regard to what we are losing in the life to come. We have seen the warnings, now keep your eyes focused on the way of truth. The Bible does not only warn us what to be on guard against, but also what we must do to walk in the right way. As Christians we already have the power to overcome; therefore, we only have to follow the word that leads us to the right way. We looked at part of this passage now lets continue by examining Colossians 3:5-10
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
The world with all its lusts and temptations are constantly beckoning for our attention and it will draw you away – unless you have something in your life to daily renew yourself. Consider this wonderful passage from Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
You are called to continuously conform to the image of Christ while the world is bombarding your mind with the things that will conform you to the world. If you do not diligently apply spiritual disciplines to your life, you will drift away from the gospel whether you intend to or not. Every day your human nature cries out to be gratified while advertisements, music, entertainment and every temptation common to man calls out for you to conform. Even those who try to resist are affected by the day to day influences that challenge the Christian walk. Unless you renew your minds daily, you will one day look up and realize that you have drifted off course without even realizing it. As we get off course, our desires for covetousness will rise up and instead of being content, we will begin to desire the things of the world.
There must be a continuous renewal and that renewal is found in the word of God. The deeds of the ‘old man’ (which is the lusts of the flesh) attempt to arise, but we are called to put to death the lusts of the flesh WHILE renewing the ‘new man’ according to knowledge. The new man is the new creation that is born by the Spirit of God when we come to Christ. Until someone comes to faith in Christ, there can be no renewal. Once we have become a new creation, we must renew daily so that the sin in our flesh does not rise up and bring us back under the bondage of lust. When the Bible says that we must renew through knowledge, it is always the knowledge of the word of God. There are dozens of different passages that specifically command us to grow through the word of God, but I want to take special note of these 5 passages:
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Hebrews 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
1 John 2:4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Everything in the Christian life draws from and is centered upon the word of God. Everyone who is drawn away from the truth, led into deception or departs from the way has one thing in common – the neglect of the word. I have never met a Christian who faithfully studied the whole counsel of the word and still drifted very far off course. When we drift, we will either abandon the discipline of studying the word, or the word will draw our hearts back to the right way. All deceivers de-emphasize the Bible, reject it, or persuade people that they cannot understand it. If you can be convinced not to seek the word of God, you can be led astray. If you disobey the basic command to study to show yourself approved, you are destined to be led astray – or at best, remain incomplete or unequipped.
As you are renewed and set your affections on the things above, you will become content with what God provides. If you gain wealth, be thankful and count yourself as a steward of God’s provision as you seek to reach out to others. If you are not given wealth, be thankful and be a faithful steward of what God has given. The focus should of our lives should be on pleasing the Lord and looking at everything in our life as part of God’s plan. Contentment and thanksgiving are closely tied together and we are reminded to be thankful in all things throughout the Bible. How can we be thankful if we do not have much? If you are looking at this world, this is not possible. However, if our heart is on the Lord and we look at everything from a heavenly perspective, thanksgiving and contentment are a natural result. Look at this amazing passage in Psalm 37:21-27
21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives. 22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. 26 He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed. 27 Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.
Do you believe the Lord? How can we covet when we are looking to the Lord to bless as He sees fit as we look ahead to the promise that we will inherit the earth? If we believe that the Lord is ordering our steps and delighting in our way, how can we not be content. Do you see how this takes the burden completely off the Christian’s life? The Lord will lead my every step so that I cannot miss out on any good thing and indeed He has promised this very thing. Look at Psalm 84:11-12
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
If your focus is on walking upright in faith and obedience to our Lord, you have the promise that God will not withhold any good thing! If God withholds anything, either it is because it is not good, or because something better awaits us after we have been tried. If we get discontented and abandon our trust, we truly deprive ourselves of what is good. Sometimes what seems good is not and many painful circumstances force us into a direction that in time is proven to be what is truly good. If we get angry at God when He doesn’t do as we think He should, we do not trust Him. Since we have the promise that He is seeking our good, we can be confident that when He holds back what we think is good, He has good reason and His choice is good. The Lord is not required to reveal to us why He acts or does not act, but we must trust Him either way. In the end we will see that the Lord is good and that this world is not where we invest our lives – nor is it the return on our investment.
Coveting is a lack of trust and the work of the flesh. Seek the Lord through His word as you renew yourself daily and you will see these things lose their grip in your life. You will not break the command not to covet if you are content, thankful and look to the Lord alone as your Provider. Walk in faith and follow the promise of Hebrews 11:
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
