5 Ways to Put Coveting To Rest, Jealousy, Tenth Commandment, Joneses

Does thou covet?

Coveting. Wickipedia defines it as desiring the unjust acquisition of your neighbor’s possessions. Few of us actually qualify as tenth-commandment breakers, barring maybe O.J. Simpson and his breaking and entering habits. B ut, we’re not off the hook because coveting, more broadly understood, is also a kind of lusting after what others have. And, I must confess that while in northern California, I found myself doing this a bit too regularly.

Do you identify?

I imagined how my life might look different if, instead of having to cook, clean, fold laundry, grocery shop and drive my children everywhere, I might spend my time in scenic northern California, traveling more and writing a few more books while enjoying my children in leisure without all of the other pressures. I wished for a different job, wondered why I hadn’t applied to law schools, lamented to my husband at how hard our constant juggling act had become, and longed for a second vacation home with an oceanfront view.

Coveting. Can you identify? If so, you, like me, may be looking for an antidote. Here are five ways that we might begin to nip our coveting in the bud:

Rejoice

5. If you can’t find ways to express gratitude for life circumstances or the things you’ve been given, “rejoice in the Lord ,” as the apostle Paul recommends (Philippians 4:4). There is plenty of good news to be had in the realization that, regardless of how dark or disappointing our lives have become, God in Jesus loves us, is intimately involved in our lives, and ultimately promises new, abundant life.

The other day I spoke with a woman whose multiple myeloma had returned with a vengeance. This time the cancer was in stage IV. At age 52, this woman was facing an untimely death with honesty about her hopes and fears and griefs, but she was also bubbling over with gratitude to God. For her family. For God’s provision of her every need. For how God was helping her use even her cancer to encourage others in their dark places.

This woman was grateful, when she could be coveting a longer life or better health. She had put her coveting to rest.

Maybe we can, too.