Do you find yourself wanting what others have? Maybe you don’t even realize that you are doing it! The other day, right after posting the daily devotional on Facebook, I was quickly distracted by several reels—a lady engaging in superb athleticism on horseback, a beautiful couple looking into each other’s eyes drinking champagne on a yacht in the sunset, a perfectly airbrushed, tanned, ripped supermodel competing in CrossFit games and—I had to stop watching. In the course of less than a minute, I’d become dissatisfied with my entire life. It was Monday morning and I was doing none of these fabulous things. I woke up alone, I was going to work in my office, and because I had a long day ahead—there would be no chance of doing anything that would bring me one step closer to having any of the things I had just watched.
How could my day be so crippled before it even began? Well, God reminded me of the GREAT dangers of breaking the 10th Commandment:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Exodus 20:17 NKJV
I never really thought much about the 10th Commandment—but after today—I certainly am! The advent of the Internet makes our “neighbor” just about anyone, anywhere in the world. One of the downsides of social media is that an almost unimaginable number of images are dangled in front of us which exponentially increases our propensity to covet. To “covet” is to yearn to possess something; and while it seems like a “small” sin, it can probably be credited as being the seed for many of the most heinous crimes against humanity.
I really don’t think I ever considered how extremely damaging my own covetousness is! In my mind, it was not a big deal, because as long as it stayed in my mind, I’m not hurting anyone. But the mind is where everything begins. That’s why the Bible is constantly reminding us to put the right things in our mind. (Ephesians 4:22-24; Romans 12:1-2) Jesus made this remarkable statement about covetousness in Luke 12:15:
“BEWARE of covetousness, for one’s life does NOT consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
Then Jesus shared a parable just to show the absolute INSANITY of covetousness:
The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?” So he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’”
But God said to him, “FOOL! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?”
So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.“
Luke 12:15-21 NKJV
There is only one form of covetousness that is healthy and that is—to covet the blessings of GOD within a relationship WITH God. To covet the world’s brand of prosperity is foolish. We are like a slave—working ourselves to death just to leave behind money for someone else to spend. But when our heart deeply desires to do God’s work and to live in HIS righteousness—we are richer, more beautiful, more satisfied—than we ever imagined!
God’s presence, His Word, His Spirit, His salvation—are our greatest possessions. When we keep our minds deeply engaged with Him, our heart follows and we realize that God’s presence is our richest treasure!
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith and the mission of Faith Strong, click HERE.
Out Now – Essential Faith, Volume II. Find it on Amazon by clicking HERE.
To learn more about Kimberly Faith’s ministry Fostering By Faith, click HERE.
