“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.” —God’s words to Moses in Exodus 20:17. It’s the 10th Commandment, and God gave it to us for our own good.
What does coveting look like in today's world or do we still covet? Do these words apply to us now that Jesus has come? Are you a human being? If you answered yes to that last question, you have coveted. Honestly, we all covet at one time or another even though we know we are commanded to not do so. We may even catch ourselves in a full-on covet and scold ourselves saying, "Stop it! Snap out of it! Be grateful for what you have!" We may even not recognize our own coveting. The words from God to Moses are still applicable to us today. Coveting takes us down the road to comparison and comparison will never allow Jesus to take complete control of our lives. Let's talk about what coveting may look like in our modern day work place.
We see that a coworker has been assigned a project or assignment for which we feel particularly suited. We wish we had the opportunity. We may ask ourselves, "Why didn't I get asked to do that?"
We need to recognize that the opposite of covetousness is contentment. Contentment is what we must seek. Contentment defined is “what I have now is enough.” Quite simply, contentment means satisfaction without any manipulation. We might define it as “being comfortable in one’s own skin.” The bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:6, "A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough."
We need to realize that comparison is a joy thief. We should not compare ourselves to anyone but Christ. For comparison to Christ will bring humility, and humility keeps pride and covetousness at bay. In Philippians 4: 10 - 14 NIV, Paul says, "I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." So, the next time you are tempted to compare yourself to another, stop yourself in your tracks and take stock....compare yourself to Jesus.
Here is a quote from Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries, "When comparison sneaks in, it can be hard. Worse than hard. It can quite simply make me forget all the strengths I do have. And when we forget, our hearts shift. We stop being thankful and instead become consumed by that little thing we don't have. That's a dangerous place to be."
Dear Heavenly Father,
We admit that our nature is to covet; our nature is to compare. Lord, please help us to stop. Help us to find comfort in You and who we are in You. We have all we need in You and all that You have provided to us. Help us to embrace the gifts, talents, and situations that we have been given and have been put in. Help us to recognize that each and every situation is for our learning and benefit if we view it with Your eyes and mind. We realize that you often use the average person for Your purpose for big impact. Let us be worthy of Your use, and let us rest in who you have made us. It is in Jesus strong name we pray... Amen.
What does coveting look like in today's world or do we still covet? Do these words apply to us now that Jesus has come? Are you a human being? If you answered yes to that last question, you have coveted. Honestly, we all covet at one time or another even though we know we are commanded to not do so. We may even catch ourselves in a full-on covet and scold ourselves saying, "Stop it! Snap out of it! Be grateful for what you have!" We may even not recognize our own coveting. The words from God to Moses are still applicable to us today. Coveting takes us down the road to comparison and comparison will never allow Jesus to take complete control of our lives. Let's talk about what coveting may look like in our modern day work place.
We see that a coworker has been assigned a project or assignment for which we feel particularly suited. We wish we had the opportunity. We may ask ourselves, "Why didn't I get asked to do that?"
- We see the results a coworker gets...it may be sales; it may be student achievement; it may be a closing on a house; it may be gaining new customers; it may even be the pricing you are able to quote, etc. We think, "Man, how does he or she do that? I want that! Why can't I do that?"
- We look at the team our coworker works with and/or the relationships he or she has. We think, "Man, I could do great things if I worked with them too! They are the dream team! Why couldn't I be on their team?"
- We look at the appearance of others. We think, "How do they have it all together? He or she dresses so nicely and always looks calm, cool, and collected. Everything he or she touches turns to gold. Nothing phases him or her. How does he or she do it?"
We need to recognize that the opposite of covetousness is contentment. Contentment is what we must seek. Contentment defined is “what I have now is enough.” Quite simply, contentment means satisfaction without any manipulation. We might define it as “being comfortable in one’s own skin.” The bible tells us in 1 Timothy 6:6, "A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough."
We need to realize that comparison is a joy thief. We should not compare ourselves to anyone but Christ. For comparison to Christ will bring humility, and humility keeps pride and covetousness at bay. In Philippians 4: 10 - 14 NIV, Paul says, "I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." So, the next time you are tempted to compare yourself to another, stop yourself in your tracks and take stock....compare yourself to Jesus.
Here is a quote from Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries, "When comparison sneaks in, it can be hard. Worse than hard. It can quite simply make me forget all the strengths I do have. And when we forget, our hearts shift. We stop being thankful and instead become consumed by that little thing we don't have. That's a dangerous place to be."
Dear Heavenly Father,
We admit that our nature is to covet; our nature is to compare. Lord, please help us to stop. Help us to find comfort in You and who we are in You. We have all we need in You and all that You have provided to us. Help us to embrace the gifts, talents, and situations that we have been given and have been put in. Help us to recognize that each and every situation is for our learning and benefit if we view it with Your eyes and mind. We realize that you often use the average person for Your purpose for big impact. Let us be worthy of Your use, and let us rest in who you have made us. It is in Jesus strong name we pray... Amen.
