The Tenth Commandment: Do Not Covet

The tenth of the ten commandments is given to promote contentment - with my neighbor, and in turn with God. The PRECEPT was clear, they were not to covet. When examined this means to be selfishly desiring the possessions of their neighbors. Unlike Eve (Gen. 3:1-7) they were to be content with all that God had provided them, and not greedily lusting after their neighbor's property. This principle is explained by the example of Achan (Joshua 6-7) where coveting is clearly sin, and leads to death. The POINT of this command is to "guard against greed." Our problem with coveting is evident - we make demands of those around us, are denied legal support for our greed, yet dangerously make more possessions the basis of our happiness. The parable of the rich fool reveals how a heart of greed leads to a Godless grave.