“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have…” —Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)
Having interacted with different people, I realised that one of the major causes of discontentment and dissatisfaction amongst God’s people is covetousness. People today want to have what other people have at all costs, and in the process, they tell lies, get depressed and in most cases steal just to get what their neighbours have.
I recently heard of a housekeeper who conspired with a friend to kill her employer just so she could have a box of Jewelry that belonged to her employer. She obtained the jewelry, but at the cost of an innocent life. Now she faces a lifetime in prison or even the death penalty, and one more life has been lost. That is how destructive covetousness can become.
This is why God does not want us to covet other people’s property, because it puts us under unnecessary pressure and competition with others. When God brought the Isrealites out of Egypt, one of the commandments He gave to them was this, “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).
Did you see that? So, as you walk with God, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have…” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) and you can avoid the dangers of covetousness.
Now, does this mean you shouldn’t aspire high? Of course not! There is nothing wrong with wanting the best for yourself or achieving great things. Do do so from a place of contentment and not covetousness.
Today’s Rhema
Take your eyes off other people’s possessions, and in due time you will get yours!
Confession for the day
Father, I am grateful for this eye-opening message. I choose, therefore, to focus on what you are doing in my life, and I receive grace to possess my possession and not other people’s possession in Jesus name. Amen!
