{"id":1875,"date":"2021-01-12T12:45:06","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T18:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebcsv.com\/pa\/?p=1875"},"modified":"2021-01-12T12:45:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-12T18:45:43","slug":"shall-not-covet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebcsv.com\/pa\/shall-not-covet\/","title":{"rendered":"Shall Not Covet"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Covet\"You Shall Not Covet<\/h3>\n

Romans 7:7
\nWhat does it mean to covet?
\nThe Larger Westminster catechism explains it this way:<\/p>\n

Q-146: Which is the 10th commandment?
\nA: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor\u2019s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbors.
\nQ-147: What are the duties required in the 10th commandment?
\nA: The duties required in the 10th commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.
\nQ-148: What are the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment?
\nA: the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment are, discontentment with our own estate, envying, at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.<\/p>\n

Notice that this commandment, to a greater degree than the others goes to the core of our being.
\nIt is not enough just to not steal- don\u2019t covet what your neighbor possesses.
\nIt is not enough to not commit adultery- don\u2019t covet your neighbor\u2019s spouse.
\nIt is not enough to not murder- don\u2019t hate your neighbor!<\/p>\n

Now also notice- the Westminster catechism stresses contentment. What is this contentment? Is it wrong to desire to better ourselves or improve our condition? No, not at all. However, we must guard against making the increase of wealth our main concern in life or setting it up as the object of our hope. We also must guard against lustfully desiring what position, goods or lot in life God has entrusted to our neighbor.<\/p>\n

The New Testament teaches productivity and investment. It teaches diligence and industriousness.
\nIt takes for granted that the fruit of labor leads to the increase of goods. It only mandates that that increase is received with thanksgiving, charitableness and proper perspective.
\nTo idolatrously hoard and lust after things is sin. On the other hand, to receive things from the Lord\u2019s hand with gratefulness and charity is God glorifying.<\/p>\n

The heart is the heart of the matter. Guard your heart.
\nBecause of grace,
\nTim<\/p>\n

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