The Lodestar

This is the last one of the Ten Commandments. Like other commandments related to relationships, it is also a social safeguard. It is one of the foundations of the ideal society that God wants to build with people who have a covenant relationship with him. In a society where nobody wants what others have and is content with what they have, there is no room for theft, violence, exploitation, and even murder.

The Bible has stories of people who broke this law for the just society that God planned, ruining their lives and that of others. When Achan coveted the devoted things and hiding them led to the failure of the Israelites at Ai, the death of thirty-six soldiers and finally judgment on Achan and his family, who were stoned to death (Joshua 7:1—28). Gehazi’s covetousness led to him becoming a leper, maybe for the rest of his life (2 Kings 5:1—27). Ahab coveting his neighbour’s vineyard led to the murder of innocent Naboth, its owner (1 Kings 21:1—29). This led to the annihilation of Ahab and his dynasty forever, as God decreed, and the stories continued.

But there is no room for covetousness in the new covenant with Jesus Christ. Through the “Parable of the Pearl of Great Value,” Jesus illustrated that the Kingdom of God that believers enter through faith in him satisfies all desires and cravings for more. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45—46).

To enter the Kingdom of God means to be under God’s reign. Realising that God is sovereign and has everything under his control expels all cravings. Being in the Kingdom means we are in the best place human beings could ever have. We have all privileges in this world and the world to come. Knowing that we are in the Kingdom quenches all thirst for earthly things.

However, when we wander from God’s reign and slip into this world, and its value system, covetousness creeps in with all its attendant evils.

A person in the Kingdom of God leads a contented life: “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:5—8).

Let us allow the thought that we belong to the King of the universe and are under his care to rule our hearts. Being the child of God satisfies all desires.