March 9, 2008

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 Scripture KJV

Reverend David S. Huffer

Westwood Baptist Church - 2124 Davis Road
 Waynesboro, VA

Ten Commandments #10

“Thou Shalt Not Covet”

Exodus 20:17

We come this morning to the final commandment in the passage of Scripture that we refer to as the Ten Commandments.

• We have seen that God has given us principles by which we are to live
• These principles govern our relationship to God and others

Put in simple terms, this command simply says: Quit worrying about what your neighbor has

• It is his – not ours

DEAR FRIEND - We need to be like – better than – or superior to our neighbor

• We need to set our priorities on God – not our neighbor’s possessions
• Leave our neighbor’s possessions alone
• Leave our neighbor’s mate alone, and be satisfied with what God has given us

THE REQUIREMENT

Definition: Covetousness is an uncontrolled desire to acquire

• The word chamad – literally means to “desire” or “lust”

• It entails the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes

Covetousness is a form of idolatry according to Colossians 3:5 – “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

• In today’s terminology we would label this a “greed”
• Modern man is often ambitious, casting away integrity, honesty, or virtue to obtain that which they seek after

DEAR FRIEND – Covetousness is usually a secret sin – often known only by God.

• It is a sin of the heart and spirit
• The sin of covetousness begins in the mind
• And it usually degenerates in placing things before the Lord – which is idolatry!

This demonstrates that God intended for the Israelites (His people) not only to avoid the actions named in the previous commands

• But also to turn away from the evil thoughts that led to those actions

A. Notice 4 things that we are not to covet

1.         Don’t covet your neighbor’s house

2.        Don’t covet your neighbor’s wife

3.        Don’t covet your neighbor’s manservant or maidservant

4.        Don’t covet your neighbor’s ox or donkey

B. This is a very difficult command to obey for two reasons:

1.         Advertising stimulates a desire for more

2.        So much emphasis in this culture is directly attached to possessions

·         “You are successful if…”

·         “You can feel good about yourself if…”

REASONS FOR THE COMMANDMENT  - Let me share with you this morning 4 reasons why covetousness is harmful to the Christian

A. Coveting Destroys Contentment

1.       Destination Disease says: “When I get _______, then I’ll be happy” (You fill in the blank)

2.       However – Things do not satisfy!

B. Coveting Destroys Friendships

1 Kings 21:4 – “So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.”

·         Because Ahab did not get his wish, he went home, laid down, and pouted about the matter

Example - “If I can’t play SS and bat clean-up, I’ll take my ball and go home.”

James 4:1-2 – “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”

The New Living Translation puts it this way:

you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don't have what you want is that you don't ask God for it.”

• James may be suggesting here that rather than carnal bickering, coveting, and envying, they should instead have asked God to provide.

YET – We never consider that.

C. Coveting Devastates Budgets

D. The Primary reason that it is wrong to covet is that it obscures the spiritual

Luke 12:15 - And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

• A man came to Jesus complaining that his brother would not divide his inheritance with him.
• Jesus warns about covetousness here

DEAR FRIEND – The lesson Jesus teaches is plain.

• True riches and fulfillment in life  are not in the things that we have
• Material things in the greater prospective of life and eternity mean little
• YET – the world lives for and fights over their things!

OUR RESPONSE TO THIS COMMAND

A. Open Our Eyes

1 Timothy 6:6 - Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

Dear Friend – The Bible teaches that we ought to be content with our lot.

• To do otherwise borders on envy, covetousness, and greed

Paul tells us when genuine godliness and contentment are found together, it is equivalent to great gain.

Philippians 4:11-13  – Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

B. Open Our Hands

neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.

Jesus is not addressing the matter of prudent savings – He is addressing our motives.

• Rust – not referring to iron oxide, but rather the spoilage of meat. (corruption)
• Whatever wealth we may accrue is subject to deterioration and theft.

Rather – we ought to invest our lives in heaven where time and effort laid up is secure forever.

DEAR FRIEND – The idea is simply this – When serving the Lord, our reward is secure forever.

• The N.T. teaching clearly implies that our work and service done for Jesus Christ today is invested in heaven.

Jesus goes on to tell us that if we value things on this earth, then our hearts will be there also.

• Conversely, if we value things of heaven, then our hearts will be there.
• Our hearts will be where we invest

2 Corinthians 9:6 – “But this I say, he that soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully.”

• The law of sowing and reaping
• A farmer that plants little seed will have a small harvest, but one that much seed will reap a large harvest.

DEAR FRIEND – As we give to others, it will in due season be returned to us.

• Keep in mind – we will never out give God!

C. Open Our Heart

1. If you have never been saved, open your heart to Christ

·         Acknowledge your need

·         Accept God’s provision through Christ

·         Ask God for forgiveness

2. If you are a Christian, open your heart and be content with what God has for us.

·         Do not believe the lie of the devil – God will not keep any good thing from us.

that walk uprightly”

3. Learn to Open our heart to the needs of others

·         Riches and material wealth are just tools to be used to minister to the needs of others

·         Are we only concerned with our needs?

·         Time and again the Lord calls us to look to others and not ourselves

CLOSE

Contentment is the opposite of covetousness.

Are we content this morning?

·         Content spiritually – have you been born again?

·         Do you know the contentment of being sure of your salvation?

CHRISTIAN – Are we content this morning with our lives?

·         Are we looking to God this morning with thanksgiving in our hearts for the way that he has blessed us.

Praise Him this morning for His greatness and His goodness that he has expressed in our lives.

Covetousness looks to others while contentment looks to God.

ARE WE LOOKING TO THE LORD THIS MORNING?

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