What Do We Desire?
“You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt
to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or
his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything
that belongs to your neighbor.”1
Over the past couple of weeks, we have reviewed the Ten
Commandments, and seen how they are still relevant for us today. The last of
the Ten Commandments is “You shall not covet…” This commandment takes us back
to the first commandment, as coveting is another form of idolatry. To covet is
to put our own desires in first place. It makes us believe that we cannot live
without that specific person, place, or thing. Instead of being content with
what God has blessed us with, we spend our time thinking of the things we don’t
have or wishing we had what others have. This attitude of selfishness gets in
the way of what God wants to do in our lives.
C.S. Lewis put it this way, “like an ignorant child who
wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he can’t imagine what is meant
by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” We place
our focus on these earthly pleasures that will soon pass but fail to see that
God can give us something much better and everlasting. However, we can only
experience the blessings that God has in store when we choose to put him above
all else, and trust all that we are and all that we have to Him.
God’s focus is not to make us comfortable with temporary earthly
possessions. His desire is that we grow and be fruitful for Him. He wants to
use our lives to make an impact for His glory, but if we are spending our time
moping in our discontentment, we will be blinded to see the greatness of His perfect
plan.
Suggested prayer: Dear God, help me seek you first and put You
above everything else. Help me see beyond these earthly pleasures and focus on
the greater plan you have for me. I want my life to be a blessing to others,
and that my words and actions would lead others to you. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. In Jesus’s name, amen.
1. Exodus
20:17 (AMP).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.