Consumed by Consumption
Consumed by Consumption
The disregard of the tenth commandment has been the impetus for most of the wars, holocausts, and great robberies of history, as well as the present craze over Beanie Babies. From national to individual levels, coveting what others have is an inherent predilection of the sinful human condition. Is it any wonder that it is included with the rest of the Big Ten?
Within the Decalogue there is no filler material, the selection was not random. In fact, the Ten Commandments are highlighted because of the strength of the temptation to break them. As you know, the first four are Godward. The next five: honor your parents, do not murder, or commit adultery, or steal, or bear false witness, are pretty straightforward. But what about coveting? And unlike the other nine commandments, covetousness can become a way of living, a virus that renders a proper world-view feeble. This is one sin that can disguise itself in many ways. I do believe, however, that the principle symptom of this illness among God's people is discontent.
Consumed by consumerism there is never enough material gain to satisfy the discontent. You may have heard the story of an American company that years ago opened a factory in a third world country. After employing many members of the tribal community things were going well until the day after payday. No one showed up for work the following day. No one. The native populace now had more money than they would ever need! But what looked like an unreversible dilemma for the company was quickly averted by simply sending all the absentees a catalog of staff they could buy. Instantly the laborers saw items they could not live contently without and they returned to work.
Now, think about the magazines, commercials, and mail that comes into your home, the perpetual fueling for the flame of covetousness. It's burning in you now. Feel the heat of wanting more and more stuff. Stuff that will make you happy, yes happy, happier than you have ever been! Now pick up the phone, that's right, now look for the 800 number to order...OK I'll stop.
There is not much movement in the church to stamp out and combat this deadly sin. Is that because we do not recognize it when we see it in our lives and or the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ or is it because we do see it in our lives and theirs?
Paul's admonition to Timothy was to be content with what he had. A good lesson for us all, but also an implication that a Christian can live with this sin. The writer of Ecclesiastes called this vanity of vanities. You cannot get any emptier than this, wanting more and thinking more will bring peace, fulfillment, and happiness. Again, Paul told Timothy to spend his time and effort on being godly. And that godliness with contentment is great gain.
This storehouse of gain, this wealth of simplicity, the richness of contentment should characterize our homes. This responsibility falls on the governor and priest of the house. By example, we the husbands and fathers should prioritize our expenditures as best meets the family's needs. We also as parents should exhibit hearts full of gratitude for the blessings of God in our lives and not allow coveting to confuse the message to our children.
The secret here is not to look upon the things you have but what things have been given to you. There is a difference and the distinction of the difference makes all the difference in how we live differently. (Editor's note- how would you fix that? I think Laurence covets my turns of phrases.) We should stay away from comparisons. Houses, lands, spouses, talents, position, wealth, etc. are all from the hand of God. Even the sinner's prosperity is from God, whether they recognize it or not. For them it becomes false confidence, self-sufficiency, and finally, slippery ground. And so it may also for the Christian. Asaph confesses to us in Psalm 73 that his discontent by comparing his assets, fortune and "breaks in life" to the fun-loving ungodly crowd caused him great distress unnecessarily. He went on an emotional roller coaster ride that he did not enjoy because of coveting.
How is it in your home? Are you at peace with what you have? Are you motivated more by what you can give than get? Perhaps it is time to exorcise some of the voices and representatives of covetousness from your home. (I'm talking about that continual catalog flow, not calling a priest).
Imagine the Israelites hearing the law for the first time as Moses went down the list of 10. There was mental and perhaps vocal acknowledgement as each one was introduced. Then number ten, Thou shalt not covet. What did they think? Piece of cake. No problemo. Or, Uh Oh!
What a lesson is here for us. What an important command to instill in our children. What lifelong, far-reaching consequences or blessings will be a result of how well we model and teach this law of God.
He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low, no pride:
He that is humble ever shall
Have God as his guide.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much:
And, Lord, contentment still I crave
Because thou savest such.
Fullness to such a burden is
That go on pilgrimage:
Here little, and hereafter bliss,
Is best from age to age.
John Bunyan
The demons of covetousness die in the light of contentment, but grow strong in the darkness of discontent.