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

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

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.”

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.

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 , Fax Jamming

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!

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

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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

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