241204 BITES: Q49 What is the tenth commandment?

Q49 What is the tenth commandment? A49 The tenth commandment is, "you shall not covet," which forbids discontentment with God’s gracious provision and envy toward our neighbor’s blessings (Romans 13:9)

Interaction: What are powerful weapons used in warfare? (WRITE DOWN LIST)

If you were to go to war, you would want a super powerful weapon right? No rubber band guns, give me the big stuff! So powerful that the enemy wouldn’t dare to attack because of the chance it could be used. That would be quite an asset, wouldn’t it? But what if, what if, the enemy knew we didn’t know how to use the weapon - would they be afraid? Of course not!

Now, it is not hyperbole to state that we live in a war zone - I’m not talking about Ukraine or Israel but here, every day. Spiritual warfare is ongoing. Never ending battles constantly fought with the weapons that we know how to use. Some of us barely know how to use a wiffle ball bat while others know how to call in artillery strikes with precision. We have at our disposal a weapon that does amazing damage to those who would attack us but we got to learn how to use it.

What is the weapon? Its called contentment. Contentment. To be content is to be pleased with what God has provided. To be satisfied. Turn with me the book of 1st Timothy.

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6–10 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils, and some by aspiring to it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Imagine with me what temptation would look like if we were fully satisfied with what God provided, or rather with God Himself. Would we be ambitiously pursuing things that we are tempted by - of course not. Let me prove it to you another way. After Thanksgiving Dinner when Grandma or Mom said, “Hun, would you like a third slice of pie or another roll.” What did you say? No! I’m stuffed, I’m satisfied. It could be the most delicious pie in the world but if you are already full to bursting we don’t want it. Contentment with what God has given and who God is makes us impervious to many of the attacks that come from the world, the flesh and the devil. While those that are not satisfied will never be satisfied and they open themselves up to grief and traps and ultimately destruction. There is not a billionaire on the planet that wouldn’t want just one more dollar. That’s discontent and a discontented heart is a covetous heart.

Question and Answer: So here is tonight’s question: Q49 What is the tenth commandment? A49 The tenth commandment is, "you shall not covet," which forbids discontentment with God’s gracious provision and envy toward our neighbor’s blessings Romans 13:9 “For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

Restate: We are commanded by God to avoid fixating on what another has. We must cultivate contentment - this is what it is to love our neighbor. To be satisfied with what God has given and be content to enjoy what He has provided is a dangerous weapon in the hands of the Christian - it makes them dangerous in the kingdom of God.

Questions for them to answer:

So how do we cultivate contentment? Seek first the kingdom (READ LUKE 12:22-31). Stop worrying and trust the Lord and His provision and His timing

Here are other 5 ways to cultivate contentment:

Be grateful every day for whatever God provides - even if it is hard (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Celebrate and rejoice when others are blessed by God (Romans 12:15).

Focus on seeking the Kingdom knowing that the King will provide everything that is necessary (Matthew 6:19–21).

Pray when you have needs - get good at praying for small needs

Be generous: Share what God has given to you with others (Hebrews 13.16)

Why does this command matter?

Being content and not covetous is a huge asset and takes away many worries.

So how can we obey this command?

What are three things that you want and lets look at what contentment looks like for each one.

What is the benefit of keeping the command?

When we trust in the Lord to provide in His timing He assuredly provides more and better than we could even desire Proverbs 10.22

Last Question and Answer: Q49 What is the tenth commandment? A49 The tenth commandment is, "you shall not covet," which forbids discontentment with God’s gracious provision and envy toward our neighbor’s blessings Romans 13:9 “For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.””

Pray

Ask if anyone has questions then define terminology

Definitions and Examples for Key Terms

Discontentment Definition: A dissatisfaction with what God has graciously provided, often expressed through grumbling or resentment. Scripture Cross-References: Philippians 4:11–12 “Not that I speak from want, for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in abundance; in any and all things I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” 1 Timothy 6:6–8 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”

Covetousness Definition: A sinful desire for what belongs to someone else, leading to actions or attitudes contrary to God’s will. Scripture Cross-References: Exodus 20:17 ““You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male slave or his female slave or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”” Colossians 3:5 “Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”

Contentment Definition: A state of peace and satisfaction with God’s provision in all circumstances. Scripture Cross-References: Hebrews 13:5 “Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”” Psalm 16:5–6 “Yahweh is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.”

Practical Applications:

Daily Gratitude: Begin each day by listing things you are thankful for, focusing on God’s provision (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Avoid Envy: Celebrate the blessings of others, actively rejoicing with them (Romans 12:15). Simplify Desires: Limit focus on material possessions, prioritizing eternal treasures (Matthew 6:19–21). Prayerful Reflection: Pray to realign your desires with God’s will, trusting His perfect provision (Psalm 37:4). Generosity: Share resources with those in need to combat greed and demonstrate trust in God’s sufficiency (2 Corinthians 9:7).

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SPG

63. Q. What is the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment is, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, or his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s.”

64. Q. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate (1 Cor. 10:10), envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, (Gal. 5:26) and all inordinate emotions and affections to anything that is his (Col. 3:5).

WSC

Question 79 Which is the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’ s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’ s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’ s. (Exod. 20:17)

Question 80 What is required in the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, (Heb. 13:5, 1 Tim. 6:6) with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his. (Job 31:29, Rom. 12:15, 1 Tim. 1:5, 1 Cor. 13:4–7)

Question 81 What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, (1 Kings 21:4, Esther 5:13, 1 Cor. 10:10) envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, (Gal. 5:26, James 3:14,16) and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his. (Rom. 7:7–8, Rom. 13:9, Deut. 5:21)

WLC

Question 146 Which is the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’ s house, thou shall not covet they neighbour’ s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’ s. (2 Sam. 13:12–13, Prov. 5:8–9, Prov. 6:33)

Question 147 What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?

The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, (Heb. 13:5, 1 Tim. 6:6) and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbour, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his. (Job 31:29, Rom. 12:15, Ps. 122:7–9, 1 Tim. 1:5, Esth. 10:3, 1 Cor. 13:4–7)

Question 148 What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?

The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate; (1 Kings 21:4, Esth. 5:13, 1 Cor. 10:10) envying (Gal. 5:26, James 3:14,16) and grieving at the good of our neighbour, (Ps. 112:9–10, Neh. 2:10) together with all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his. (Rom. 7:7–8, Rom. 13:9, Col. 3:5, Deut. 5:21)

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few weeks ago we explored what it was to have something stolen from us and we learned that stealing involves more than just taking money or food which are tangible items but also intangible things can be stolen as well. Do you all remember that?

What has to happen in a person’s heart before they steal something? They gotta want it right? Sure, no one steals what they don’t want.

So let me ask you then, what happens before they want to steal something