Today's Reading: Catechism: Tenth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 47:1-31; Genesis 48:1-49:28; Mark 13:24-37

Urge them to stay and do their duty. (Small Catechism)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

I have found it helpful when trying to understand a word or concept to try to consider its opposite. So what’s the opposite of coveting? Contentment. Instead of an unhealthy obsession with what I do not have, to be content or satisfied with what I do have, with what I’ve been given. Such contentment is a gift. And something many people want. 

A good picture of this might be of children on a playground. They are free to play, run, pretend, and have fun because Mom and Dad are there and provide all they need. That’s true for us as children of God! Because we have a Father in heaven who created us and gave us life, His Son who redeemed us and forgives us, and the Holy Spirit who gives us the Gift of contentment. As a child of God, I am free to live and enjoy life!

But sadly, we don’t always live that way. We listen to a culture that encourages us to want more and more, bigger and better. To not be satisfied with what you have. What happens then is that we become slaves to our desires, unhappy, and caught up in pursuing what we don’t have. That’s why St. Paul calls coveting idolatry (Colossians 3:5), that is, something that takes the place of God in our hearts. And with that, Paul has “closed the loop” on the Commandments that also begin with idolatry. The First Commandment teaches us that we have a God who wants to be our God and Father, and the Tenth Commandment teaches us that we have a God and Father who wants to provide everything for us and for our neighbor. I don’t have to covet what God has given my neighbor because I know He has good He has planned for me and wants to give to me. 

So just as I can support my neighbor in every physical need, help him to improve and protect his possessions and income, and protect his reputation, I can also urge my neighbor’s wife, workers, and animals to stay and do their duty, because I know God has given them to him and will provide for me. For if God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for me and my spiritual life, I can be sure He will also graciously give me all I need for my physical life as well (Romans 8:32). He promised!

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, You have made me Your child in Baptism and made me an heir of all Your gracious promises in Christ Jesus. By Your Holy Spirit, strengthen me to forsake all covetous desires that my heart cling to You alone for all I am, all I need, and all my joy; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.