10 Pillars : Building a Life in GodPrimjer

Covetousness: You will not covet!

Covetousness is one of the factors in the deterioration of relations in communities. Covetousness is the desire or greed to possess or have the same possessions/blessings as our neighbour.

Covetousness reveals a lack of recognition of what we have. Greed brings jealousy, which brings hatred, and sometimes is a cause for slandering and hence, a degeneration of human relations.

To envy what we do not have is not to love what we have. This is a real problem for us Christians. We have the promise that God will give us everything that we need.

• Is not our dissatisfaction a rejection of what God has given us?
• Is it not a lack of respect and gratitude towards this God who finds it right to provide for us?
• If we confess that God cares for us and supports us, why do we always want other things? Why feed lust?

This commandment is particular because it speaks of coveting the things of our neighbours. It's not just an innocent desire; no, it's a desire of what our neighbour has. Is this jealousy? A sense of competition?

Let us also erect this column that destroys lust by making us grateful for what God gives us at all times!