Do Not Covet

This past summer, I was asked to come speak to this vivacious group of young ladies! It was definitely worth the effort and I loved getting to meet each and every one. The juxtaposition of their outward diversity and yet united heart's desire was inspirational!

During our time, we talked about what contentment (a positive view on this command: Do Not Covet!) really is, why it is so important, how we can adopt a mindset of contentment, and how to apply it - not just to the really difficult trials through which we go, but to our daily lives as well.

We came to understand that contentment is both (1.) realizing God has provided everything I need for my present happiness, and (2.) knowing what is most important can never be taken away from me. 

What can never be taken away?

• God
• The Word of God (including all of His promises to believers, such as eternal life, eternal joy and eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ)

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; 

and be content with such things as ye have: 

for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Hebrews 13:5

The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight. Whatever he may lose he has actually lost nothing, for he now has it all in One, and he has it pur ely, legitimately and forever.

- A. W. Tozer

One of the biggest lies you will ever here is, 

If I only had _________ I would be happy!

Not only is this false, it can easily retard (meaning to delay, or hold back in terms of progress, development or accomplishment) the work God has ordained YOU to do!

Our contentment can determine who we are and how far we excel.

Do what you can with what you have! There is a man named Nick Vuijic who is an incredible example of  both realizing God has provided everything he needs for his present happiness AND doing all he can with what he has. Nick was born without arms or legs, and yet leads a vibrant and contented life. He didn't have control over his circumstances, but he did have control over how to respond to them.

It is important to realize, however, that contentment should not be the fruit of comparison. This means that we should not look at a handicap like Nick's and determine that since "we have arms and we have legs, we should be happy"!  

II Corinthians 10:12 says,

"...but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. "

If our contentment has a foundation of comparison, all it will take is someone who has MORE than we do to make us discontent. 

Also, remember the significance of seasons in life. 

One of the best ways to apply contentment is to keep our hearts  in the present and not in the future. 

We talked about the power of gratitude, and the need to let go of expectations. To illustrate letting go of our expectations, each girl wrote a desire of hers on a balloon ("a horse", "a camera", "a sister", "answers"), blew it up, and then together we let go of our "expectations" and symbolically gave God our desires to deal with as He pleases.

Last evening while reading more on the command, "Do Not Covet" I was struck with how often we covet things we see. All the more reason to guard our eyes with all diligence and to not expose ourselves to things that would distract the vision that God has given for our lives (Proverbs 4:25). Think of David and Bathsheba, for example. David was just out meandering on his roof top (idleness, perhaps?) when temptation was thrust into his sight uninvited and unprovoked. We don't know when the devil will throw a fast one at us! We may be out walking along a storefront when, upon seeing an attractive picture of something, all that has already been provided for us dims in the potential of what we could have. 

The example of David and Bathsheba highlights another good point besides the influence of sight and unexpected timing (he was tempted in the middle of a common, unexciting event: walking): that we are not capable of only coveting things, but people as well. One greek word for covet is epithumeo; it refers to having strong affections directed towards someone or something and longing after it.

Will we be as the simple - tossed to and fro with the leadership of another, be they a fool or wise? The "leader" is often an advertisement, designed to make you believe you do not have all that you need to be successful in life. Don't forget - the greatest commandment is to love the Lord the God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength and we don't need anything but life to fulfill that!

 A lovely tea party was prepared for after our meeting, and I smiled at the illustration it provided of I Timothy 6:8,

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

Helpful verses to memorize:

Hebrews 13:5: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

I Timothy 6:6-8: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Philippians 4:11-12: Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

Exodus 20:17: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Psalm 119:36-37: Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Proverbs 28:16: The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.