Greetings Sisters and Brothers content with God’s
gifts…
Exodus 20: 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall
not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or
donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
All of these things which
are mentioned…even the wife, were of economic value in Old Testament times.
And, according to study,
I doubt that the coveting is a simple “I wish I had my neighbor’s life” kind of
sentiment. It seems to be an active coveting toward trying to figure out how to
actually take stuff away from the neighbor.
If we are not careful,
the envy of what others possess, can cause us to break relationship with our
neighbor. It makes sense that in most of these Commandments God was trying to
set things in order so we could all get along with each other as Commandment
number ten does.
But I think, yet more
importantly, this commandment teaches us that we should be grateful for what
God has given us rather than plot to take away what God has given others. God
knows what we need. Scripture is full of promises that he will deliver all that
we need.
Psalm 37: 4 reads…
Delight
thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
That is the King James
language. And many other translations say the very same words.
If you seek true
contentment, delight yourself in the Lord, not in the neighbor’s stuff!
Have a truly gifted day.
And praise God for even
the smallest joy or convenience you experience!
Peace, Mike
