The Tenth Commandment
Silence and stillness before God (2 minutes)
Scripture reading
Scripture reading:
Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
Devotional
The final commandment goes straight to the heart: do not covet. Unlike the other commandments, which deal with actions, this one targets desire. God knows that unchecked desire is the root of discontent and idolatry. Coveting is the soil where materialism grows.
Coveting shifts our gaze from God’s provision to what others have. It breeds envy, resentment, and comparison. Instead of gratitude, it creates restless striving. In a consumer culture built on advertising and comparison, coveting is not only normalised but encouraged. Yet God calls us to freedom from this endless cycle.
The antidote to coveting is gratitude. When we give thanks for what God has provided, we train our hearts to see abundance rather than lack. Gratitude dethrones materialism and re-centres our joy in God’s gifts.
Question to consider
What practical steps could you take this week to replace coveting with gratitude?
Prayer
God, guard my heart from coveting what others have. Teach me to give thanks for your provision and to be content in your goodness.
Conclude with silence (2 minutes)
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