37 - The Joy of Contentment

It’s one thing to ask me to not make an idol, or profane the Lord’s name, or work on the sabbath, or dishonor my parents, or murder, or break my marriage covenant, or steal, or lie, but it’s quite another when you look at the hidden motives of my heart and command me to be content with my lot in life. Now you’re in an area inside of me I hardly understand myself. You’re asking me to control something that in reality seems to have control of me. Yet, the tenth commandment tells me not to covet, meaning I shouldn’t desire things that belong to others. I’m told to be totally satisfied with the gifts God has given me, and delighted when others appear to have more blessings than I do. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus explained that each commandment reaches beyond our actions to the attitudes within our hearts. But this last commandment starts there, telling us to be selfless and humble, and that’s something no human can do without a miracle. Even St. Paul tells us this was the commandment he was helpless to obey before he was born-again (Ro 7:7–12). When he tried he found compulsive attitudes in him that only got worse when he tried to bring them under control. But whenever God asks us to do something He always provides the help we need to succeed. So, let’s look in His Word today to find the provisions he’s made that will set us free from coveting.