Tenth Commandment

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Deuteronomy 5:21)

I think that today many parents might add to the tenth commandment the idea that we should not desire our classmates’ mobile phones or game consoles. This could help reduce the need for explanations about the fact that everything has its proper time, and that it is not necessarily appropriate to place technological devices in the hands of very young children who may not yet be able to use them properly. Furthermore, if parents had a stronger sense of responsibility, they would likely spend more quality time with their families instead of relying on digital devices to occupy their children’s attention.

I also think that it is not always wrong if someone desires what belongs to another. It can serve as a good motivation for us to gain more knowledge and to become more diligent and refined. At the same time, we should not covet what belongs to others, but rather take it from them as a good example.

“What does God require in the tenth commandment? That not even the slightest desire or thought should ever arise in our hearts against any of God’s commandments, but that at all times we should hate all sin with our whole heart and delight in all righteousness.” (Heidelberg Catechism 113) Amen.

PRAYER: Lord, please grant me contentment! I thank You and appreciate what I have. Amen.