Be Content With What You Have
The Ten Commandments • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Intro:
John D. Rockefeller became the world’s first billionaire in 1916. To give you an idea of what that means in today’s terms, he would be worth 400 billion in today’s money. That is 70 billion more than Elon Musk, who is today’s richest man.
A reporter once asked John D. Rockefeller how much money it takes to be satisfied. Rockefeller replied, “One dollar more.”
Rockefeller gives a glimpse of the symptoms experienced by not following this commandment: “Just one dollar more.”
I think the Tenth Commandment is the sneakiest of them all because it is not an outward action but a way of thinking.
Notice, unlike some of the other commandments, the word “covet” or the phrase “thou shalt not” is used twice in the commandment, emphasizing its importance.
Martin Luther stated that this final commandment is directed not at those whom society views as wicked rogues but specifically at the most righteous individuals- those who seek to be recognized as honest and virtuous since they have not violated any of the preceding commandments.
Coveting is the big lie told to us day in and day out. We are told we are what we own, or we can be what we want to be if we own something. We tend to judge ourselves by what we wear, where we live, or what we drive.
Social media and TV bombard us with more and more content about what we should be giving ourselves if we are truly to be happy.
The truth is that coveting and discontentment are intertwined with the fabric of our being.
This commandment is similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, where Jesus addresses adultery and murder, reminding us that adultery begins with lust. Where does lust start? It starts in the mind. He also discusses murder, highlighting that it begins with hate, which also starts in the mind. Just like those two, coveting begins in the mind.
Let’s look at our verse.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
The key word in this verse is clearly “covet.” Therefore, to understand this tenth and final commandment, we must grasp the meaning of covet.
The word covet in this verse means - desire; take pleasure; darling, treasure.
Covet - desire; take pleasure; darling, treasure.
Covet - desire; take pleasure; darling, treasure.
Desire, or coveting, is the root from which every sin originates. Before someone murders, commits adultery, steals, or bears false witness, they first covet or long for a different kind of circumstance. Consider King David and his sin with Bathsheba. He coveted Bathsheba, who was not his to desire. This ultimately led to adultery and then murder.
Mark 7:20-23 says it this way.
And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,
deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
In 1 Kings 21, we see a historical event involving King Ahab, Jezebel, and their neighbor Naboth.
King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, which was next door to the palace.
He asked Naboth for the vineyard in exchange for other land or money.
Naboth declines the offer because the land was his by inheritance.
King Ahab leaves, “sullen and vexed,” goes to bed, and refuses to eat.
Jezebel enters and asks King Ahab why he is sad.
King Ahab “whines” his story to her.
Jezebel asks, “Do you now reign over Israel?” and promises to acquire the land for him.
She announces a feast and honors Naboth at the celebration, but she also positions two “worthless” individuals beside him.
The “worthless” individuals are directed to accuse Naboth of cursing God and the King.
Naboth is stoned.
Jezebel informs King Ahab that the land is now available for him to take.
Did you notice what happened?
Ahab desired his neighbor’s property (violating the 10th Commandment), Jezebel influenced unscrupulous individuals to bear false witness (violating the 9th Commandment). Consequently, Naboth was killed (violating the 6th Commandment), and they seized the vineyard (violating the 8th Commandment).
Let’s get back to our verse. Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Notice that the verse does not simply state, “You shall not covet.” Instead, it specifies an object associated with the coveting. In other words, desiring something is not inherently wrong; it is the object of that desire that renders it wrong.
The Bible is filled with reminders that we should not desire things that fade away or those that lead to sin.
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
The word “desirable” is the same Hebrew word as the word used for “covet” in the Tenth Commandment. The issue with sin in the Garden is that Adam and Eve exchanged their desire for God for a desire to be like God. This is a possession that was not theirs to have.
In the New Testament, Jesus reminds us not to emulate people like Rockefeller.
Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”
Possessions, earthly wealth, etc., are not where it is at. Let me be clear.
Owning a nice car or having a nice house is not wrong.
It is wise to save and invest money.
However, if our fulfillment lies in those things, they can become wrong.
What is the answer, then? How do we overcome this Tenth Commandment?
If you Google “Contentment,” one of the answers you will find is Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths.
Buddhism teaches that there is a connection between wanting and dissatisfaction, which is true. One of the many ways Buddhism goes wrong is in its main goal to eliminate craving (desire). Eliminating cravings will not work for two reasons.
First, the Buddhist teaches in their “Noble Truths” to look to oneself for contentment. You will not find contentment within yourself, Gen. 6:5.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Without Christ in our lives, we seek only ourselves, and only sin resides in the hearts of man. Contentment cannot be found in self.
Secondly, we are created in the image of God. Being made in God’s image includes having emotions and desires. We understand this not only from our inner selves but also from the fact that God has desires, one of which is to be worshiped (Psalm 29:2).
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in holy array.
So, let’s turn to God’s Word for answers on overcoming the Tenth Commandment.
I suggest three ways to avoid coveting and grow in your desire for God based on His Word.
1. Be Content With What You Have
1. Be Content With What You Have
You can’t be content and covet at the same time. You can either be content or covet, but you can’t do both.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says this.
Not that I speak from want, for I have 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 prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Paul endured beatings, imprisonment, ridicule, and false accusations, yet he found contentment in what he had and in his circumstances.
2. Create a Habit of Giving
2. Create a Habit of Giving
It is impossible to covet while you are giving. Prov 19:17
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.
He who despises his neighbor sins, But happy is he who is gracious to the poor.
Most of us have an abundance compared to many others. Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to give of your possessions, your time, and you witness. Give the Gospel! 1 Tim 2:3-4.
This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
3. Desire God and His Word
3. Desire God and His Word
The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
When we seek God and His Word, we are desiring the right thing. This is the only way to truly fulfill the longings of our hearts.
We must reach a point where our minds and hearts are so focused on God that the things of this earth no longer attract us in a wrong or coveting way.
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
Because we serve an incredible God, when our desires align with His, He gives us exactly what we desire.
Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Let’s Pray.
