We are part of a world of material things. And we want more.

1. 10 Stupid Things
We Do
We Want More!
Deuteronomy 5:21

2. Do Not Covet
 This command is different from the others
– First 9 are action oriented
– The 10th is not an action, but attitude
 Covet is a desire – an evil attitude
 We Want More!
 COVETING IS DESIRE
GONE WILD!

3. Definitions
 Greek word – To set the heart upon, to desire
unlawfully, to secure illegitimately
 Webster – A strong desire or inordinate desire of
obtaining and possessing some wealth or goods
 Preacher – “The illicit strong desire to possess
what one does not have, which cannot be rightly
obtained, or which belongs to another.”

4. Do Not Covet
 Your neighbor’s wife, servant, ox, donkey,
or anything your neighbor owns.
 Some think:
– I don’t want my neighbor’s wife
– They don’t have an ox, or donkey
– I don’t think they have any servants
 So this command does not apply to me.

5. What about today?
 Super Bowl ads on TV - $2.5 million for
30 seconds
 Purpose – To get you to desire what you
did not know you wanted or needed
 Past – Door-to-door salesmen
 Today – Telemarketers, Spam email, Fax
Jamming, Junk Mail

6. What about today?
 Credit – easier to get – “Buy Now – Pay
Later”
 Furniture – Zero interest, Zero down
 Lottery – Americans spend billions on a
80 million to 1 long shot
 OUR YEARNINGS WILL ALWAYS
EXCEED OUR EARNINGS!

7. What is wrong with Coveting?
 Coveting is Idolatry
– Colossians 3:5-7 - 5Therefore put to death your
members which are on the earth: fornication,
uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
covetousness, which is idolatry. 6Because of
these things the wrath of God is coming upon
the sons of disobedience, 7in which you
yourselves once walked when you lived in
them

8. What is wrong with Coveting?
 Coveting is Idolatry
–It dethrones God and puts things at the
center of our hearts.
–It dethrones God and puts things at the
center of our minds.
–It dethrones God and puts things at the
center of our wills.

9. What is wrong with Coveting?
 Coveting is Idolatry
 Coveting leads to other problems
–It does not stay a sin of the heart
–We put those desires into action
–We cheat, lie, steal, kill
–Coveting influences our behavior

10. What is wrong with Coveting?
 Coveting is Idolatry
 Coveting leads to other problems
 Coveting stops us from being generous
–Coveting is selfishness gone to seed
–Covetous people see what they can GET
rather than GIVE
–Covetous people forget the childhood lesson
of SHARING

11. What is wrong with Coveting?
 Coveting is Idolatry
 Coveting leads to other problems
 Coveting stops us from being generous
 Coveting cheats us of contentment
–Live in 1 of 2 “tents” – content or discontent
–Grass is always greener
–God made us a little lower than the angels, but
we want to be a little higher than the Joneses.

12. How can we change?
 Be aware of the dangers
– External – Advertising – Friends get one –
We see it and want it
– Internal – Root problem is not OUT THERE,
but IN HERE.
 Realign our desires
– What do we REALLY want?
– What is most important to us?

13. How can we change?
 Be aware of the dangers
 Realign our desires
 Keep our hearts in shape
–Carry a contempt for covetousness
–Acquire an attitude of gratitude
–Be wise with what you have
–Give generously
–Cultivate contentment

14. We Want More
 Learn to covet the good stuff
– Covet more love for others
– Covet better opportunities to teach
– Covet greater use of your talents
– Covet deeper worship, singing, prayer
– Covet salvation, forgiveness
– Covet eternal life