Driven to Want What Others Have

“Throughout human history, our lust for more and more has never been satisfied.”

“Picture it in your mind.” That is what I was taught when I attended a conference soon after graduating from high school. It was to help teach me about goal setting and achieving success like I had read about in books. I wanted to be a famous, accomplished and wealthy businessman. Going down to the new car lot I thought would help. There I found the car of my dreams and visualized myself in the driver seat. Furthermore, on a piece of paper I wrote down how, “I want to succeed so I can have money to buy my dream car.” (Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash)

I was a foolish 19-year-old, and did not realize it. I was driven by the accolades and financial achievements of others. I wanted what they had. Do you know what that is called? Coveting. It is probably not a word you have used in the last week, but it may be something you have been guilty of too.

The Lord God speaks plainly about this in the Ten Commandments, “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” (Exodus 20:17) Coveting is greed. It is where you want more than what you have, or want what someone else has, for selfish gain. Jesus once said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) And what is coveting driven by? Lust, which is an evil desire that seeks to satisfy its passions, regardless of the cost.

Why is coveting condemned by God? Because of its perilous consequences. A married man covets another woman, which leads to an adulterous affair and a divorce. A woman covets more clothes and shoes, a nicer car and bigger home leading to severe debt problems. A man covets more achievements, a larger income and a bigger business leading to a wife and children that he rarely sees.

And many crimes are rooted in covetousness. Embezzlement, fraud, theft, robbery, extortion. In the end, divorce, fractured families, bankruptcy, job loss, imprisonment and even murder have all been the fruit of a covetous life.

Throughout human history, our lust for more and more has never been satisfied, but instead has led to self-destruction; for an individual, a family and sometimes even for a nation.

What is the answer to a covetous life?

The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who [covet] fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

Here are four principles to an unselfish and generous life. 1) Godly contentment. Trust in God, where He alone is enough to satisfy all your desires. 2) Godly gratefulness. Be thankful to God for all you have, whether little or much. 3) Godly character. Put honesty, hard work, giving to others and personal integrity as a higher priority than the collection of things. 4) Godly perspective. Realize that all you get in this life, stays in this life and cannot go to the next. Also understand that God wants you to excel, but to do it for His glory, the good of others and not for selfish gain.

And how can you live like this? Only through Jesus. His sacrificial death and resurrection provided a way for you to be forgiven. And when you turn to Him, He will fill you with Himself and all you need to live a godly life that is filled with His joy, thankfulness and peace.

A prayer for you – Lord God, search each of our hearts if we are living a covetous life. Are we coveting another’s spouse? Are we coveting someone else’s successes? Are we coveting material things? If so, Lord, we call upon you to transform us. Change our hearts. Bring us to be content with all you have given us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.