June 7, 2026 | Ptr JP Masakayan
God’s commands are given for us to obey because He desires to bless us through them (Deuteronomy 4:39–40). After the rebellious generation of Israelites died in the wilderness, a new generation stood ready to enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 5, Moses repeated the Ten Commandments—first recorded in Exodus 20—to remind them of God’s will.
The final and tenth commandment addresses covetousness. While it mirrors the earlier command, Moses presents a slightly different order of things not to covet (Deuteronomy 5:21). To covet means to strongly desire something that belongs to someone else—often driven by envy.
Like most of the commandments, this one exposes internal sin—the desires of the heart that eventually lead to external actions. When we lie, covetousness says, “I want my own version of the truth.” When we commit adultery, it says, “I want what someone else has.” At its core, coveting is about envy, greed, selfishness, and misplaced desire.
It reflects an inordinate longing for possessions, power, or recognition—an unquenchable thirst for the things of this world that replaces our desire for God and eternal fulfillment.
Jesus teaches us to be careful where we fix our eyes (Matthew 6:22–24). In today’s world, this may mean resisting constant exposure to things that stir discontent—such as endless scrolling through social media or online shopping. Scripture reminds us not to love the world or the things in it, because they are temporary, while those who do the will of God live forever (1 John 2:15–17). So how do we guard our hearts against covetousness?
BE CONTENT
Contentment is the antidote to covetousness. God is pleased with godliness combined with contentment—being satisfied with what He has provided, whether it be food, clothing, or daily needs. Contentment is not determined by how much or how little we have, but by the condition of our hearts. The real question is: Is Christ enough for you?
The apostle Paul warns that the love of money—not money itself—is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). When our pursuit of material things replaces our pursuit of God, it becomes idolatry.
We see this in the story of the rich young ruler. When he asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him to let go of his wealth and follow Him (Mark 10:21). Jesus identified what was competing for his heart. In contrast, the writer of Proverbs prayed for neither riches nor poverty, but just enough to avoid sin (Proverbs 30:7–9). This reflects a heart that values God above material gain.
Wealth itself is not sinful. Like temptation, it only becomes sin when we respond wrongly. Without God, wealth is meaningless—but with God, even simple blessings can bring deep joy (Ecclesiastes 5). True contentment comes from recognizing and receiving what God has given.
BE GENEROUS
Generosity is the opposite of covetousness. Why should we choose generosity? Because earthly wealth has no value when we stand before God. We will be judged not by how much we accumulated, but by how we stewarded what was entrusted to us (Proverbs 11:4, 24–25).
Generosity flows from gratitude. When we recognize that everything we have comes from God, giving becomes a natural response.
Whether we give out of abundance or out of need, generosity is an act of worship. It reflects our trust in God and our acknowledgment that He is our ultimate Provider. Giving shifts our hearts—from holding tightly to earthly things to investing in eternal purposes.
BE IN AWE
To truly worship God is to live in awe of Him. The Hebrew concept of yirah speaks of a holy fear—a deep reverence that leads to obedience. God revealed His heart when He gave the commandments: He wanted His people to know Him, to fear Him rightly, and to walk in obedience so that they may be blessed (Deuteronomy 5:29).
Yet many believers today struggle with spiritual immaturity because they neglect God’s Word. Without Scripture, we experience “spiritual disorientation”—uncertain of what is right or wrong when making decisions. Like the Israelites in Exodus 20:18–19, many prefer to hear about God through others rather than seek Him personally. But God desires a direct relationship with His people.
The fear of the Lord keeps us from sin and draws us closer to Him (Exodus 20:20–21). This is not a fear that pushes us away, but one that leads us into deeper intimacy—like a child who reveres and loves a father.
True worship is not distant or impersonal. Religion keeps God far away, but God invites us into a close, personal relationship—just as Moses approached Him face to face. Scripture teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). This wisdom leads to obedience. King David passed this truth to his son Solomon, who later concluded: “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). This is the essence of a life that honors God—knowing Him and obeying Him.
In the end, the question is not just what you know, but how you respond. Will you stand before God in shock, realizing you never truly knew Him? Or will you stand in awe—joyfully entering the presence of the One you have come to know and obey?
Know God. Love Him. Obey His Word. That is the heart behind the Ten Commandments.