Just One More Thing!

Exodus 20:17

If you are able to read this article, you have something to be thankful for! Over two billion in the world cannot read. If in your vehicle’s ashtray (or sock drawer) there’s some loose change, or if you have even a buck or two in the bank – you are in the top 8% of the world (maybe the bottom of that 8%!). If you have food, clothes, a roof, and a bed, you are better off than 75% of the world! We are, without a doubt, a rich nation of mankind.

Have you ever thought about the tenth commandment being the only of the commandments that deals with inner “action” as opposed to outer action? Commands 1-9 seem to need some sort of physical action to accomplish the breaking or not keeping of them. Outer sin first begins in the heart, however “do not covet” remains in the heart. It is a “state of heart” rather than a physical state of being. No doubt it will oft lead to outward sin.

Coveting essentially means an unrestrained, ungoverned, or unchecked self-desire for something. Don’t you think some 3,500 years ago God knew of our generation when he gave this law to our forefathers? Of course he did! Desires are created in us by the minute through various media. We feel so deprived yet we have so much. One can make payments on nearly anything today! A materialistic culture does much harm to a Christian attempting to be satisfied. I’m amazed at how quickly we tire of priceless things and we’re ready for the next best thing. Sadly this is true not only of things but of people. We throw away marriages, churches and family, only to again be dissatisfied with what we so covetously grasped.

Certainly God blesses us with material things – some are necessary for survival. He even provides things that go beyond our needs. Godly people live in large homes as well as small. Owning a fine car is not a sin, however, being owned by it certainly is! A satisfied heart is a gift but it is not easily attained. We struggle to own yet not be owned. Balance seems elusive to humans. Proverbs 30:7-9 are great verses. “…give me neither poverty nor riches…lest I…deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’”

God has given us much – life, eternal life, family, church, daily bread, promises, Truth, friends, safety and more! We need to remember this Thanksgiving season what sixteenth century poet George Herbert said well, “Thou hast given me so much…Give me one thing more, a grateful heart.”