WSC Q79-81b: Coveting Misdirects and Causes Worry

Q. 79 Which is the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Q. 80 What is required in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his.

Q. 81 What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his.

In the introductory message, I showed you that covetousness is a sin of the heart. It stands as a reminder that God not only weighs our actions, but also our hearts. But covetousness rarely stays contained in our hearts. Last week, we saw that it often brings us into quarrels with others. This week, we will see how it misdirects our whole lives and produces sinful worry.