DO NOT COVET

The Gospel Project for Students 125

SESSION 11

DO NOT COVET

IN THE TENTH COMMANDMENT, God forbids us to covet something that belongs to someone else. Coveting is the craving of the heart for something we believe will give us satisfaction. Instead, coveting isolates us from others and robs us of a proper perspective of earthly things. The gospel is the only answer to covetousness, for only Jesus provides us with a way to find our satisfaction in God and His gifts. Through faith in Jesus, we are given new desires that are in line with God’s mission.

STEPS TO PREPARE1. Read the main passages for this study, recording your insights and questions:

▷ Deuteronomy 5:21 ▷ Luke 12:13-21 ▷ Philippians 4:10-14

2. Review the Teaching Plan (pgs.126-129). ▷ Refine the lesson plan based on your group’s particular needs. ▷ Adjust the plan if necessary.

3. Study the Expanded Lesson Content beginning on page 130. ▷ Don’t feel pressured to teach all of the content in a single meeting. ▷ Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group.

▷ Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class.

4. Pray for the Lord’s guidance as you lead your group through this material.

LESSON OUTLINETHE TENTH COMMANDMENT REMINDS US THAT…1. God forbids coveting (Deut. 5:21).2. Coveting lacks eternal perspective (Luke 12:13-21).3. Contentment comes through the gospel (Phil. 4:10-14).

© 2014 LifeWay

SESSION 11

126 Leader GuideWINTER 2013-14

DO NOT COVETCONNECT

OPTION 1Begin the lesson by noting the covert nature of the coveting. Use the story of The Count of Monte Cristo to illustrate the disastrous consequences that can result from coveting (p.130).

How would you define coveting? What are some synonyms? How concerned are you about the sin of coveting? Why?

Summarize this lesson on the Tenth Commandment with emphasis that contentment in the gospel of Jesus is the only answer to covetousness (p.130).

How can you identify coveting in others? How can you identify coveting in yourself?

OPTION 2Guide students to share stories of people doing foolish things spurred by jealousy. The crazier the better. However, be sure they do not give any specific names. Ask them why they think jealousy is such a powerful motivator, especially when it almost always results in bad consequences. Following the discussion, transition into how jealousy shows a heart that is looking for good in the wrong places (not in God).

TRANSITIONIn the Tenth Commandment, God forbids us to covet something that belongs to someone else. Coveting is the craving of the heart for something we believe will give us satisfaction. Instead, coveting isolates us from others and robs us of a proper perspective of earthly things. The gospel is the only answer to covetousness, for only Jesus provides us with a way to find our satisfaction in God and His gifts. Through faith in Jesus, we are given new desires that are in line with God’s mission.

TEACHING PLAN

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NOTES:

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© 2014 LifeWay

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The Gospel Project for Students 127

CONVEY

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT REMINDS US THAT…

1. GOD FORBIDS COVETING (DEUT. 5:21).Read the Tenth Commandment from Deuteronomy 5:21. Discuss the various people, animals, and things we are commanded not to covet.

Based on the specific objects listed in Deuteronomy 5:21, what are some comparable objects in our lives that we might covet?

Show that the heart of coveting is discontentment with God. Then highlight its destructive and insatiable nature. Use the story of David and Bathsheba to illustrate that coveting can lead to breaking multiple Commands.

At this point, consider using the story “The Grass is Always Greener…” in the PSG (p.95) as a way to illustrate this point. A brief synopsis has been provided for you in the sidebar.

What are certain things you long for? What is an instance of coveting with which you’ve been tempted in the past month? In what ways can we battle resentment toward God and the people who have the status or possessions we crave?

Can God redeem the sin and consequences of coveting? If so, how? How does the story of David and Bathsheba give hope of redemption? (See Matt. 1:1-17.)

2. COVETING LACKS ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE (LUKE 12:13-21).Mention that we should follow Jesus’ proper perspective on the temporary and eternal. However, coveting redirects our gaze. Before you read Luke 12:13-21, challenge students to listen for the perspective toward possessions that Jesus communicates.

When has coveting caused a breakdown in your family? your friendships? How have you seen relationships affected by coveting?

Explain Jesus’ parable of the rich man. Highlight the wisdom the rich man seems to show, and then contrast that with God’s evaluation of the rich man’s plan. Note the personal pronouns used in the rich man’s monologue to illustrate his limited perspective. Equate an eternal perspective with the concept of being generous toward God.

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER…

My new neighbor and I share a landlord. When our landlord started doing all kinds of nice things for my neighbor (for example, replacing his roof and hiring a lawn service to mow his grass), I got a little upset. Then I realized that there was a reason behind his actions. He had always treated me more than fair, just like God.

▸ What do you think a proper initial response should have been upon seeing the improvements and extras my neighbors were getting?

NOTES:

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© 2014 LifeWay

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128 Leader Guide

Contrast treasure on earth with treasure in heaven. Then set our earthly possessions in the proper perspective—God’s resources given to us as temporary managers. Only the treasure we have in Christ will last forever.

At this point, consider using the story “Housewares” in the PSG (p.96) as a way to illustrate this point. A brief synopsis has been provided for you in the sidebar.

In what ways should an eternal perspective shape our plans in the present? How does coveting rob us of an eternal perspective?

How is the Tenth Commandment (Do not covet) related to the First Commandment (No other gods)? What is the relationship between coveting and the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?

3. CONTENTMENT COMES THROUGH THE GOSPEL (PHIL. 4:10-14).Point out that our struggle with coveting points to our desire for ultimate satisfaction in God. Use Paul’s life as persecutor then missionary to illustrate this desire. Read Philippians 4:10-14, guiding students to identify the secret of being content.

How would you define “contentment”? Is there such a thing as a holy discontent? Why or why not?

Set Philippians 4:13 in its biblical context of contentment. Contentment and ultimate satisfaction are found only in God through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He gives us everything we need; we need not covet what others have.

At this point, consider using the story “Perspective” in the PSG (p.99) as a way to illustrate this point. A brief synopsis has been provided for you in the sidebar.

Think of the last time you were irritable or depressed. What did you lack that made you unhappy? How should you have sought your happiness in Jesus instead? In what ways is the gospel the answer to coveting?

How have you heard Philippians 4:13 used out of its context of contentment? What other biblical principles might apply in these cases?

HOUSEWARESWhen my great-grandparents passed away, a tragic divide erupted among their dozen children about who got what parts of the inheritance. The brothers and sisters divided and didn’t speak for years. That changed when one of the brothers got terminal cancer. Facing death, he called for reconciliation and got it. It took staring in the face of death for my grandparents’ family to realize what was important. How true for all of us!

▸ In what areas of your life have you lost sight of eternity because you’re guilty of focusing on the here-and-now?

PERSPECTIVEI stopped at a fast food place after visiting my terminally ill cousin. While there, a man threw quite the tantrum about some toppings they got wrong on his burger. It was a sad picture of the foolish things in which we place our happiness. That guy lost his joy because of something so very minor in the grand schemes of things. Ultimately, everything is minor…except Jesus. Only He brings true joy.

▸ How can you help others avoid coveting and instead seek their contentment in Jesus?

© 2014 LifeWay

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The Gospel Project for Students 129

COLLIDE

No matter what age you are, there’s no doubt that you have experienced coveting in one form or another—coveting another child’s toy when you were a kid or the new car your friend got as a gift when he or she turned sixteen. Because of the fall in the garden each of our hearts has experienced coveting in some measure.

What are some examples of coveting you can think of from childhood? from your current stage in life? What do you think coveting will look like when you enter adulthood?

One highlight in this session is that coveting reflects a heart of discontentment with God. Whenever we allow covetous desires to linger within our hearts, we are essentially saying that God and His provision over our lives is not enough—that we also need whatever it is that we are coveting. And when that is the case, we idolize something or someone over God Himself.

What does coveting reveal about ourselves? about our hearts?

How do you think coveting is related to some of the other Commandments?

This session equips students to think biblically about the issue of coveting, noting particularly how coveting lacks eternal perspective. Not only that, but students will see, once again, how lasting heart change comes through the gospel and not human effort alone. If our covetous hearts are to find lasting contentment and satisfaction in God, it will first require that the gospel of Christ take root in our hearts in order to change our desires from the inside-out.

How is our mission hindered by coveting? How is our mission supported by being content and generous?

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SESSION 11

130 Leader Guide

DO NOT COVETTHE TENTH COMMANDMENT REMINDS US THAT GOD FORBIDS COVETING, COVETING LACKS ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE, AND CONTENTMENT COMES THROUGH THE GOSPEL.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION AND DISCUSSION STARTER

Coveting is a sin more covert than most because it is almost exclusively an issue of the heart. Other sins are easy to discern through external actions, but coveting can be concealed. We may not even be conscious of how our covetous heart affects our relationships with others and with God. But ultimately, coveting speaks to a dissatisfaction with God and what He has done for us.

A movie that depicts the sin of coveting is The Count of Monte Cristo (Touchstone, 2002), based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. Edmond Dantes, a successful merchant sailor, receives a promotion to take

over as captain of a ship. This promotion affords him the ability to support a family, urging him to return home and propose to his love, Mercedes. Fernand, Edmond’s friend and rival for Mercedes’ affections, is so moved by jealousy over the engagement that he enacts a plot to accuse Edmond of being a traitor to his country, resulting in banishment to a prison known as Chateau d’If. Fernand forsook his friend, destroyed his reputation, and stole his fiancée, all fueled by his hatred and jealousy of Edmond.

Just like Fernand, we too can be consumed by coveting. This story demonstrates that coveting is a sin that can lead to disastrous consequences.

SESSION 11 by Rey De Armas

EXPANDED LESSON CONTENT

VOICES FROM CHURCH HISTORY[Jesus] showed us that covetousness is a pitfall of the devil and hateful to God. The wise Paul even calls it idolatry, perhaps as being suitable for only those who do not know God or as being equal in the balance with the defilement of those people who choose to serve sticks and stones. It is a snare of evil spirits, by which they drag down a person’s soul to the nets of hell.1

—Cyril of Alexandria

© 2014 LifeWay

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The Gospel Project for Students 131

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT REMINDS US THAT…1. GOD FORBIDS COVETING (DEUT. 5:21).

Coveting is a sin that cannot be policed because we can never see it on the outside. Much like the First Commandment, which Commands us to worship God, coveting is played out primarily on the inside, in the heart. We do not commonly use the term coveting; we are more familiar with the term jealousy. Yet the essence of coveting involves the misplaced cravings of the heart, and the Tenth Commandment lists different things that people should not covet.

And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s (Deut. 5:21).

Immediately we notice that God didn’t stop with “Do not covet.” Many of the other Commandments are simple, but this one gets specific for the sake of covering all the bases. Look at all the different things we are not supposed to desire.

You should not covet your neighbor’s spouse. By avoiding this sin, you can avoid an adulterous relationship. You can avoid breaking a relationship with a future spouse and your neighbor. Just the mere thoughts of desire can inspire jealousy and anger on all sides of a relationship. Coveting is indeed a dangerous sin.

We should not covet anyone’s possessions. In other words, we should not be concerned with “keeping up” with anyone else. Perhaps we are familiar with coveting a neighbor’s house or field, but coveting an ox or donkey for those who live in rural cultures also violates this Command. And though not part of our context, it is clear that even the coveting of slaves could have been a temptation for the people of Israel.

The Command closes with a summary to include all things. We are not supposed to covet anything that belongs to our neighbor. But who is our neighbor? Jesus answered this question by telling the crowds a story about a Jewish man being helped by a Samaritan. The tale is commonly known as “The Good Samaritan” and is found in Luke 10:25-37. The story shows that everyone is our neighbor, no matter who they are or where they come from. We are not to covet anything from anyone.

At the heart of coveting is discontentment with God. God is the One who provides opportunity and supplies all of our needs. Everything that we have comes from His hand.

James 1:17 tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God is the true Provider of all that is good in our lives. He is the Creator who gives good and perfect gifts to His children. We

FURTHER COMMENTARYTo covet and to desire are essentially the same thing, as is seen in Exodus 20:17 where the same Hebrew verb is used of both houses and wives. Here the same verb occurs for wife and a different verb for everything else. A possible explanation is that in the land of Canaan families would live in close quarters where desire for a neighbor’s property might be a more serious temptation.2

—Eugene H. Merrill

FURTHER COMMENTARYAn important passage that reveals the uniqueness of the Tenth Commandment is Romans 7:9-10. Here the apostle Paul alludes to the perfection of the law and imperfection in himself. Apart from the Tenth Commandment, all the other Commandments can be obeyed ostensively, outwardly. But the Tenth Commandment applies to the heart, a matter of attitude. This Commandment thoroughly convinced Paul that he was a sinner.3

—Mark F. Rooker

© 2014 LifeWay

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are not to look back at the Father who has given us life and redemption and tell Him that we are dissatisfied with what we have. We have already been given more than we deserve.

Coveting also destroys relationships with others. We become bitter toward those of whom we are envious, questioning why they have been given a blessing that we may want for ourselves. This shows that coveting violates the entire law. We cannot love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength if we are angry about what He has given us. We cannot love our neighbor if we are envious of what God has given them.

Adding to the damaging effects of coveting is the simple truth that human desires are insatiable. We don’t receive pleasure when we get what we want because we always find ourselves wanting more. It is fitting that the law mentions so many possessions because we can find ourselves coveting even after certain desires are fulfilled. Even the rulers of nations can find themselves wanting things that belong to someone else.

In previous sessions, we saw how King David fell into the sin of adultery. But adultery didn’t start with lustful thoughts. It began with coveting. David caught sight of a woman bathing, a very beautiful woman (2 Sam. 11:2). He discovered her name was Bathsheba and she was married to Uriah. David was married as well, but neither of these facts would deter David in his covetous pursuit of Uriah’s wife.

After a one-night affair, she discovered that she was pregnant. Coveting had led David to commit the sin of adultery. Adultery then led to lying. David attempted to cover his sin by having Uriah come home from battle, getting him drunk, and sending him off to his wife. When his plan was unsuccessful, lying led to murder. David sent Uriah back to war with his sealed death warrant in hand. By David’s order, Uriah was placed at the front of the fiercest fighting, and then the army was withdrawn from him so that he was killed (2 Sam. 11:14-17).

David appeared successful for the moment. He married Bathsheba and looked like a hero taking in the widow of a fallen soldier. However, God knew about David’s sins. These would eventually cost David the life of the child Bathsheba was carrying and cause shame to fall on his house. All of this began with coveting. Had David dropped his desire for Bathsheba after seeing her from his rooftop, he would have been saved the heartache of losing a child and ending the life of an innocent man. Instead, the king of Israel brought strife and discord on the nation.

David never found ultimate satisfaction in his relationship with Bathsheba because she couldn’t provide it. David wrote in Psalm 103:1-5, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Only God can bring the true satisfaction that our soul craves.

© 2014 LifeWay

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2. COVETING LACKS ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE (LUKE 12:13-21).

Coveting keeps us focused on our immediate circumstances and prevents us from looking ahead. But we need to make sure that we live our lives with the proper perspective that what we experience now is temporary and eternity awaits us. Jesus lived His life with this perspective. He did not seek the riches that this world has to offer but instead sought after something much greater—our eternal salvation.

In Luke 12, Jesus told His disciples to avoid becoming like the Pharisees and to fear God alone. In the middle of His conversation, someone from the surrounding crowd broke through and changed the issue at hand.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:13-21).

When asked about an inheritance issue, Jesus responded in a friendly yet firm manner with a question: “Who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

Pause for a moment. It is difficult to read this response without a sense of sarcasm, but there is truth in the question. Jesus will one day be the Judge of all; in this moment, however, He was not sent to be a judge or to deal with sibling bickering. It was unfortunate that this man could not resolve inheritance issues with his own brother. He was airing his issues out in public for everyone to see, perhaps hoping to bring shame on his brother, but he only brought shame on himself.

Jesus continued, warning the man and the crowd about where this request stemmed from—greed, or covetousness. We must beware of coveting in every form that it may present itself to us because it takes our eyes off eternal things and sets them exclusively on earthly things.

To illustrate the danger of this limited perspective, Jesus went on to tell the crowd a parable in verses 16-20: A rich man’s land had a productive season, a sign of financial blessing. Since his land yielded a good harvest, he decided to save the extra. His barns were capable of storing all that he needed, but he decided to tear them down and build bigger ones in order to keep

VOICES FROM CHURCH HISTORYWe are to fear and love God, so that we do not entice, force, or steal away from our neighbors their spouses, household workers, or livestock, but instead urge them to stay and fulfill their responsibilities to our neighbors.6

—Martin Luther

VOICES FROM THE CHURCHThe greedy person—one who covets—denies his faith in God and scorns His values.4

—William J. Fallis

VOICES FROM THE CHURCHThe wisdom of God…lies embedded in the tenth Commandment. Yahweh insisted that genuine righteousness lies not at the level of visible actions but inside the individual soul.5

—Doug McIntosh

© 2014 LifeWay

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everything he had just reaped. On top of this, it seems as if he had decided to retire. He was choosing to eat, drink, and enjoy himself because he had goods that would last him for years.

This sounds like a solid, wise plan. Many of us would applaud this man for his ingenious investment. We might invite him to teach the stewardship class at our church. However, this man was selfish. Look at the use of pronouns in his monologue. He was concerned only with himself. He did not give thanks to God for the blessing, nor did he choose to be generous with others. He did not have a long-term perspective; he just focused on the now.

Then enters God: “Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” What a terrifying response! Not only did God negate the man’s plan, but He also informed him that he would die that very evening. Everything he had just come into possession of—wealth, security, status—was now gone, and he could not do anything about it. He would not be able to enjoy the empire that he had planned for himself.

Jesus closed the parable with these haunting words: “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” This statement should strike fear into all of our hearts. Would we be so greedy that we would choose not to be generous toward God?

After this parable, Jesus contrasted storing up treasure for one’s self on earth with storing up treasure in heaven (Luke 12:22-34). Treasure in heaven cannot be stolen or destroyed. It cannot be corrupted, cannot fade, will not rust, and will not break. Treasure in heaven lasts forever. And incidentally, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (v. 34).

Jesus spoke into a culture that was concerned with material wealth. Relevant for us today? Absolutely.

The rich man in this parable did not know that his life would be required of him that very evening, and all of the wealth and crops in the world would not be able to save him. Jesus’ words help us understand that we do not have ultimate control of our possessions. We merely manage them for a moment and then leave them to subsequent generations.

We must understand that everything we would desire outside of Christ is temporary. The latest gadgets will become outdated. The latest fashion trends will be destroyed by age. Homes and buildings will crumble to the ground. Cars will succumb to rust. Only the treasure that we have in Christ will last forever.

This is why God declared the rich man a fool. He lacked eternal perspective. We should not live as fools but as wise stewards of what God has given us. We should understand that everything we have is a gift from God, and it all truly belongs to Him. We should not envy what others have been given but choose to be faithful with what He has entrusted to us. In this way, we will please God and show Him that we can be trusted with more. But even if He chooses not to give more, we should be grateful for what He has given.

© 2014 LifeWay

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3. CONTENTMENT COMES THROUGH THE GOSPEL (PHIL. 4:10-14).

The Bible shows us that possessions and relationships cannot satisfy. But we all still have an inward desire to search for satisfaction, and the road to satisfaction eventually leads us back to God. He is the eternal One. He will never leave us or forsake us.

The problem is that we are separated from God by our sin. Our covetous desires point to our ultimate need to have a relationship with Him. We seek after wealth because we are spiritually poor. We seek after possessions, yet everything we have is a gift from His hand. All relationships with created beings point to our need for the all-fulfilling relationship with our Creator. Sin has corrupted our ability to see the truth, but the gospel sets us free to understand what true contentment is.

The apostle Paul understood this truth. He sought to follow the traditional laws of Judaism in order to pursue righteousness. He was so zealous for God that he even persecuted those who believed and taught the way of Jesus. Yet nothing Paul had pursued ever brought him forgiveness or satisfaction.

But when Paul met Jesus (Acts 9), he came to understand that everything he had been seeking after was useless. Paul then believed that the sacrifice of Christ was enough to pay for his sin and the resurrection of Christ was true. He began following Jesus and preaching the gospel in different cities. He would plant churches as he traveled and would then write letters to the churches to encourage them.

In the letter known as Philippians, Paul encouraged the believers in Philippi with the secret of being content in all circumstances. In chapter 4, he wrote:

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble (Phil. 4:10-14).

Paul found his joy in the Lord continually, and he found yet another reason to rejoice in the fact that the church in Philippi cared for him. He was glad that they provided for him in his moments of need. But Paul’s heart was not dependent on his circumstances. He would not allow his surroundings to steal his joy. Even as he wrote this letter in prison, he was still able to say that he could be content in whatever circumstance he would find himself. It is easy to say these words in times of wealth and prosperity but harder behind prison walls and in chains.

VOICES FROM CHURCH HISTORYThis silly fool of a man…was hoarding perishable crops. I repeat, he was hoarding perishable crops, while he was on the point of perishing because he had handed out nothing to the Lord before whom he was due to appear.8

—Augustine

VOICES FROM THE CHURCHEverything that we see about us that we count as our possessions only comprises a loan from God, and it is when we lose sight of this all-pervading truth that we become greedy and covetous.7

—Billy Graham

FURTHER COMMENTARYThe secret of living amid life’s difficulties is simple: trusting God in such a way that one can say, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ This does not mean God will bless whatever a person does; it must be read within the context of the letter, with its emphasis on obedience to God and service to God and others.9

—S. M. Baugh

© 2014 LifeWay

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Remember, we have already covered the fact that wealth and prosperity do not satisfy, so those wouldn’t help Paul. Being in prison, he was also separated from others, but he knew that nothing could separate him from God. He was able to be content in all circumstances because he would never be separated from the love of God found in Jesus Christ. Nothing else could satisfy his soul.

Philippians 4:13—“I can do all things through him who strengthens me”—is often misused as a slogan in the realm of sports or achieving goals. Our focus on individual pursuits apart from the gospel can cause us to misinterpret this verse. It is true that Christ enables us to accomplish much for Him, but in this context Paul was describing his ability to be content whether in good or bad times. Because of what God had given him in Christ, he found the purest satisfaction that anyone could ever experience.

A heart gripped by the gospel finds its satisfaction in God and enjoys His gifts. We do not have to wonder about fulfilling our needs because God has already promised to take care of them. This is why Jesus could tell His disciples with confidence, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing” (Luke 12:22-23).

Jesus assured His followers that their needs would be provided for because God would be the One to care for them. They did not need to covet material possessions because God would give them everything they needed. They did not have to desire after what the world offers because the greatest treasure is found in Christ. Eternal life, security, and hope are given to those who believe through the power of the gospel.

CONCLUSION

In considering the Tenth Commandment, these questions arise: Is God enough for you? Is God better than the things you desire? Are you seeking after the treasures of this world? Do you find yourself desiring things that others have?

If you are in Christ, you do not need to define yourself by your possessions. You already have the greatest gift of all! Because of the gospel, you have been made free from the law of sin and death. You are free to follow Christ, and when you die, you will be with your Creator forever in heaven, never tasting the punishment that you so rightfully deserved.

We know when we are coveting or living with an eternal perspective by keeping track of our heart—our time, our thoughts, our emotions, and our finances will show if we covet a grand lifestyle or if we are mindful toward the kingdom of God. As we desire God’s kingdom, we’ll see our blessings and possessions being used for the spreading of the gospel to those who need to turn from their covetousness and find contentment in the only One who can satisfy.

VOICES FROM CHURCH HISTORYThou hast made us for thyself and restless is our heart until it comes to rests in Thee.10

—Augustine

REFERENCES

1. Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Luke, trans. R. Payne Smith (Long Island, NY: Studion, 1983), quoted in Luke, ed. Arthur Just Jr., vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2003), 207.2. Eugene H. Merrill, HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 295, n. 5:21.3. Mark F. Rooker, The Ten Commandments, vol. 7 in NAC Studies in Bible & Theology (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 171.4. William J. Fallis, “Covet, Covetous,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, gen. eds. Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England, 360.5. Doug McIntosh, Deuteronomy, vol. 3 in Holman Old Testament Commentary, ed. Max Anders (Nashville: B&H, 2002), 73.6. Martin Luther, The Small Catechism, in Basic Theological Writings, ed. Timothy Lull (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 2005), 322.7. Augustine, quoted in Luke, ed. Arthur Just Jr., vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: New Testament, 208. 8. Billy Graham, in Billy Graham in Quotes, ed. Franklin Graham (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011), 161.9. S. M. Baugh, ESV Study Bible, 2287, n. 4:12-13.10. Augustine, Confessions (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1999), 2.

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