How Can Christians Follow the Tenth Commandment?
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The Tenth Commandment might be the last one, but it’s no less serious. It addresses a common problem: we all want things we don’t have. We seek things beyond what we need, more material or pleasures than we currently have.
Because he loves us, God warns us against these temptations that lead to destruction. Not only does the Lord make this part of the original Ten Commandments, but he also teaches us better ways to live.
Where Is the Tenth Commandment in the Bible?
We find the Tenth Commandment in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21. Exodus 20:17 states, “You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
The Israelites received this command after living for 400 years in Egypt, enslaved much of the time. They cried out to God for deliverance, and God raised Moses, a Hebrew who had been adopted into the Egyptian royal family, to free them. After a struggle with the Pharoah involving plagues and other supernatural events, the Israelites became free and met God at Mount Sinai. There, God called Moses to ascend the mountain, where he would deliver the Ten Commandments, divine laws written on stone tablets.
The commandments mattered because God made a covenant with the Israelites, a binding agreement that created a new nation and culture. They had lived under Egyptian rule for centuries, influenced by a culture steeped in idolatry. He needed to give them a new vision, showing how his values communicated he was a different god than all the pagan gods they were familiar with. At Sinai, God sought to establish a new identity for his people, grounded in holiness, justice, and a personal relationship with him. More than mere rules, the commandments formed a framework for living in harmony with God and each other. The commandments guided his people into a life reflecting his holiness and justice. He called them to live as a people set apart to demonstrate God’s character to the world.
Why Do Different Denominations List the Tenth Commandment Differently?
The Ten Commandments, as recorded in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, don’t explicitly number the commandments. Early Jewish tradition divided them into ten, but there was no universally agreed-upon division method, and ambiguity left room for different interpretations.
One significant difference arises in the commandments about idolatry and coveting. The Catholic and Lutheran traditions follow the division attributed to St. Augustine, a prominent early Christian theologian. Augustine combined what most Protestant traditions consider the first and second commandments—prohibiting other gods and idols—into one. He then divided the prohibition against coveting into two commandments: one against coveting a neighbor’s wife and another against coveting a neighbor’s goods.
For Augustine, the focus was on unifying the prohibitions against false worship while giving attention to different kinds of coveting—people and things. His division became standard in the Western Church and was subsequently adopted by the Roman Catholic Church and later by Martin Luther, whose influence established this numbering in the Lutheran tradition.
In contrast, the Eastern Orthodox Church and most Protestant denominations, following early Jewish scholars like Philo and Josephus, separate the commandment against other gods and the commandment against idols. This method preserves the unique emphasis on sinful idolatry. Therefore, they combine the prohibitions against coveting into a single commandment, encompassing a neighbor’s wife and possessions under one commandment against covetousness.
The Reformed tradition maintained this division, emphasizing a return to what they perceived as a more original understanding of the Decalogue. Reformers like John Calvin argued for a clear distinction between worshipping God and prohibiting idols, reflecting a commitment to biblical textual fidelity. Reformers sought to distinguish themselves from the Catholic Church with different liturgical practices, doctrines about topics like grace and works, and new Bible translations in English instead of Latin. The new translations included changing how the Ten Commandments were numbered.
Both perspectives on the numbering have good points. Coveting a person (someone else’s spouse) has different consequences than wanting a material object. Since God made people in his image, he ascribes more value to humanity, and therefore, it is a more serious sin to treat them as simple possessions. At the same time, the coveting spirit treats a person as an object, demeaning them.
The more important question is why we shouldn’t covet in the first place.
What Does the Tenth Commandment Mean by Not Covetting?
From an Old Testament perspective, coveting finds root in the lie God doesn’t or won’t provide. Throughout the scriptures, God repeatedly assures the Israelites he will provide for their needs and bless them abundantly if they obey his commandments (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). These blessings include prosperity, protection, and abundance in every aspect of life—agriculture, livestock, and health.
In Exodus 16, God provides manna and quail to the Israelites in the wilderness, demonstrating his ability to meet their needs directly. God’s sufficient provision eliminates the need for covetousness. When the Israelites trust God’s promise and follow his commandments, they experience his abundant blessings, which should curb the desire to covet what others possess.
For an Old Testament example, we can look at King Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21). King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard because it was close to his palace and desired it for a vegetable garden. Ahab became sullen and resentful when Naboth refused to sell or trade the vineyard. His covetous desire led to unjust actions orchestrated by his wife, Jezebel, culminating in Naboth’s false accusation and execution. Ahab’s coveting resulted in grave injustice and sin, illustrating unchecked desire’s destructive potential.
The commandment against coveting calls God’s people to trust his provision and to be content with what they have. The Israelite's security and prosperity depended on their obedience to God and reliance upon his provision, not on their ability to acquire what others possessed. Additionally, coveting leads to other sins like theft, adultery, and murder, as shown in Ahab’s story. By addressing the heart and its desires, the Tenth Commandment also aims to prevent the sins resulting from covetous thoughts.
Why Is It Important to Follow the Tenth Commandment?
Not coveting is vital for maintaining a heart focused on God and his kingdom, a core teaching in the New Testament. Jesus and the apostles emphasized seeking God’s kingdom first and trusting him to provide for our needs, shifting the focus from earthly desires to eternal riches and inheritance in heaven.
“But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” From Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:33 encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with God, trusting that God will provide for their needs. Conversely, coveting stems from not trusting in God’s provision, which leads to dissatisfaction and distraction from spiritual goals.
In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul writes, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Paul’s contentment comes from his reliance on Christ, not from material possessions or the desire for more.
Coveting disrupts our contentment and blinds us to the spiritual riches promised to us. Ephesians 1:18 says, “the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” reminding believers regarding their heavenly inheritance and its incomparable value. An eternal perspective helps Christians resist the urge to covet, focusing instead on the treasures that await in heaven.
In Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira sold property and conspired to keep part of the proceeds for themselves while pretending to donate the entire amount to the apostles. Their covetousness led them to lie to the Holy Spirit and the apostles, resulting in their immediate deaths. This severe consequence reveals how coveting can lead to deceit, ultimately distancing individuals from God.
James 4:1-3 further explains coveting’s destructive nature: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have to because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Coveting breeds conflict, strife, and misplaced priorities, all antithetical to the peace and unity that should characterize the Christian community.
How Do We Follow the Tenth Commandment Today?
With God’s instruction, we can’t focus only on the negative. While rejecting the sin expressed in the Tenth Commandment, we must replace these desires with something greater, higher, and more secure.
- Cultivate Contentment. Contentment begins with recognizing that true satisfaction comes from our relationship with God, not material possessions. Referring again to the apostle Paul, Philippians 4:11-13 teaches us contentment’s power. We find peace and fulfillment beyond material wealth by focusing on our spiritual growth and understanding that God meets our needs even during hard times.
- Practice Gratitude. Regularly expressing gratitude helps shift our focus from what we lack to what we have. Keeping a gratitude journal or praying to God for his blessings can reinforce this mindset. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages believers to “give thanks in all circumstances,” which helps diminish the desire to covet.
- Trust in God’s Provision. Trusting God will provide for our needs is crucial in overcoming covetousness. Jesus teaches us to seek God’s kingdom first, promising that all necessary things will be provided. By trusting in God's faithfulness, we can release the anxiety that drives coveting.
- Focus on Eternal Rewards. Keeping an eternal perspective helps us value spiritual riches over earthly possessions. Colossians 3:2 instructs us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” When we prioritize our heavenly inheritance, material possessions become far less alluring.
- Engage in Generosity. Giving to others counteracts covetousness by shifting our focus from acquiring to sharing. Acts 20:35 quotes Jesus saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Practicing generosity fosters abundance in all areas and reduces the impulse to covet what others have.
- Renew the Mind. Transforming our thinking helps to overcome covetous desires. Romans 12:2 urges believers to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Engaging with scripture, prayer, and meditation helps align our thoughts with God’s will, reducing the world’s influence.
- Seek Accountability. Sharing our struggles with a trusted friend or mentor supports and encourages us. Confessing our covetous thoughts and seeking guidance can help us stay on track and develop healthier attitudes.
By implementing these practices, we can guard our hearts against coveting and grow in contentment, gratitude, and trust in God's provision. These steps help us focus on what truly matters—Christ and his abundant Kingdom—leading to a more fulfilling and spiritually rich life.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Olivier Le Moal
