“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Luke 12:15
The specifications we find in Exodus 20 following the command to not covet already give us an idea of where Jesus would take the law. If we dare to feel confident because we haven’t stolen anything and haven’t committed murder, this tenth commandment convicts us because it is not about action, but desire. And each one of us knows how difficult it is to control our desires. So the law keeps doing what it was intended to do: show us our inability to keep it and point us to Christ for forgiveness.
Jesus’ elaboration about covetousness is important. It can be hard to not jealously or resentfully eye what God has given someone else. Jesus tells us to be content with what we have because there is more to life than stuff. “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7).
Let’s not waste our time worrying about what we don’t have. Be grateful for all you do have. Eagerly pursue what is free to us without limit: intimacy with the Lord and the countless blessings that come from knowing Him.
Jesus’ elaboration about covetousness is important. It can be hard to not jealously or resentfully eye what God has given someone else. Jesus tells us to be content with what we have because there is more to life than stuff. “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7).
Let’s not waste our time worrying about what we don’t have. Be grateful for all you do have. Eagerly pursue what is free to us without limit: intimacy with the Lord and the countless blessings that come from knowing Him.
Scripture Focus
Exodus 20:17
Insight
“Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 7-8
- Psalm 107
- Romans 5-6
