Coveting Stuff Not Your Own

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:17

The success of free enterprise and capitalism is largely based upon coveting. Coveting is one of the things that precede purchasing, borrowing, stealing, and cheating. Coveting is not the only thing that precedes purchasing; it is just one of the things. God is not opposed to Free Enterprise or Capitalism, but He is opposed to coveting.

Although the quotation is the tenth commandment it is very close to the First and Second Commandments.

“You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:3-6

What is the connection? It is in Colossians 3:5

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Colossians 3:5

Coveting is idolatry.

If I purchase that which I covet I am no longer coveting my neighbor’s stuff; it is mine; I just bought it. I am no longer coveting my neighbor’s stuff. See tomorrow’s post.

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