INTRODUCTION:
The first 9 Commandments are – action oriented – measured my action
Do Not Covet – is not an action but an attitude.
Covet is a desire – an evil attitude – We Want More!
Not all coveting is sinful.
Coveting is evil when we covet wrong things.
Coveting is “to set the heart upon, to desire unlawfully, to secure illegitimately”
Webster – A strong desire or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some wealth or goods
“The covetousness which the Bible prohibits is restricted to the illicit strong desire to possess what one does not have, which cannot be rightly obtained, or which belongs to another.”
COVETING IS DESIRE GONE WILD!
Do not covet your neighbor’s – wife, servant, ox, donkey or anything your neighbor owns
Many think – I don’t want my neighbor’s wife – He does not have an ox or donkey – Don’t think they have any servants
Today – Covet has a new name – Advertising – $3.5 million for 30 seconds ad during the Super Bowl
Purpose – Get us to desire what we did not know we wanted or needed
Telemarketers – Spam (email) – Fax Jamming – replaced door-to-door sales
Credit – easier – Buy now – Pay later – Zero interest
OUR YEARNINGS WILL ALWAYS EXCEED OUR EARNINGS!
Coveting is Idolatry
Colossians 3:5-7
Coveting dethrones God and puts things at the center of our hearts.
Coveting dethrones God and puts things at the center of our minds.
Coveting dethrones God and puts things at the center of our wills.
Coveting leads to other problems
It does not stay a sin of the mind and heart
We put those desires into action – cheat, steal, kill, lie
Coveting influences our behavior
Coveting stops us from being generous
Coveting is selfishness gone to seed
Covetous people see what they can GET rather than GIVE
Covetous people forget the childhood lessons of SHARING
Coveting cheats us of contentment
We live in one of two “tents” – content or discontent
Grass is always greener;
God made us a little lower than the angels, but we want to be a little higher than the Joneses.
Be aware of the danger
External – Advertising – Friend gets one
Internal – Root problem is not OUT THERE – but IN HERE
Realign our desires
Keep our hearts in shape
Carry contempt for covetousness
Acquire an attitude of gratitude
Be wise with what you have.
Re-establish relationships
Give generously
Cultivate contentment