Satisfaction
Notes
Transcript
You shall not covet
This is the broadest prohibition of the Ten Commandments
It spills over to numerous portions of the Scripture. This commandment gives us three different views of “covet.”
The initial commandment (Exodus 20:17) uses the Hebrew word chamad, which means “to delight in.”
This commandment is repeated in Deuteronomy 5:21
In Jeremiah 6:13 the Lord reminds us that covetousness infects us all.
In Jeremiah 6:13 the Lord reminds us that covetousness infects us all.
Jeremiah 6:13
Jeremiah 6:13
“Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.
We practice idolatry because we covet.
We commit adultery because we covet.
We steal because we covet.
Adam and Eve coveted the promised lies of satan.
In spite of the miraculous evidence of the Red Sea crossing, water from the rock, and the manna from heaven, Israel was not satisfied with the Lord’s provision. They coveted more.
They craved the old luxuries of Egypt. They wanted meat instead of manna.
The Lord gave Israel its request for “meat”, then sent a plague of judgment on the ungrateful nation.
Covetousness will always turn sour.
Covetousness will always turn sour.
Numbers 11:32-35
Numbers 11:32-35
And the people stayed up all that day, all night, and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers); and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague. So he called the name of that place Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had yielded to craving. From Kibroth Hattaavah the people moved to Hazeroth, and camped at Hazeroth.
There is also the tragic example of Achan (Joshua 7). Achan had been warned twice not to crave the riches of Jericho. But he did, and gave into his desire.
Achan gave in to covetousness and brought judgment upon the whole nation, until his execution.
Achan gave in to covetousness and brought judgment upon the whole nation, until his execution.
Joshua 7:21
Joshua 7:21
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.”
Joshua 7:25-26
Joshua 7:25-26
And Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.” So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.
God does not tolerate covetousness. The Bible is clear: Those that covet are never satisfied.
May we learn to be content.
May we learn to be content.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
1 Timothy 6:6-8
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Hebrews 13:5
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.”
Matthew 6:25-26
Matthew 6:25-26
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
We can be sure that the Lord will take care of our needs.
We can be sure that the Lord will take care of our needs.
Matthew 6:28-30
Matthew 6:28-30
“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
vv. 9-10:
Contentment is an attitude, a lifestyle, and a form of godliness.
It is something that we should constantly strive for.
When we lack contentment, we put ourselves in grave danger, both earthly and spiritually.
Remember, covetousness is not about your circumstances, it stems from the heart.
Charles Ryrie observed, “One can be covetous when he has little, much or anything between, for covetousness comes from the heart, not from the circumstances of life.”
You need to acknowledge that what you covet has become an idol in your life.
An idol is something that becomes the basis of your happiness.
If you want a practical exercise, you can write down the things you covet that you think would make you miserable if you couldn’t obtain them.
practice sacrificial giving in the areas where you struggle with covetousness. If you covet wealth, give more money away. If you covet a high work position, help others attain it. Essentially, play the “Opposite Game” with yourself.
Rely on scripture, using prayer to move your heart away from worldly gain.
Recognize that “all covetousness is unbelief” and actively work to “put covetousness to death”.
Our priority should always be to seek God first.
Our priority should always be to seek God first.
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Our pursuit should be after personal righteousness and godliness, as well as stronger faith, more genuine love for others, more patience, and true meekness.
In short, we should focus on the Lord and pursue His righteousness, and let Him worry about our needs.
At the heart of covetousness is a lack of gratitude for what we already have. “One who does not know what is enough will never have enough,”
Ultimately, viewing God as your provider can transform your perspectiv.
When you trust Him to provide everything you need, what others have becomes less significant.
You’ll learn that God’s grace is all you need.
God’s grace is sufficient.
God’s grace is sufficient.
2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12:9
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Contentment begins with faith in Jesus Christ.
