You shall not covet (Exodus 20:17)
August 21, 2022
First Christian Church (DOC): Dexter, Missouri
Ten commandments sermon series: the final installment in the summer sermon series on the ten commandments focused on the idea that coveting what others have is a sign of our lack of trust in Christ’s provision. Instead, we try to create systems of power or accumulate piles of possessions in an effort to shield us from the realities of the world. Jesus told his disciples that all of that can come crashing down at a moment’s notice.
Jesus knows what we need and invites us to trust in him. This is the same message the Israelites heard from Moses when they were forced to depend on daily manna in the wilderness. Secure in the knowledge that God’s provision is always faithful, we can cease our covetousness and work toward a world where all have enough.
(Sermon begins at 18 minutes)
Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female slave, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (NRSV)
Luke 12:13-21: Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” 16 Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” (NRSV)
