The tenth and final commandment, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17), is an important conclusion to God’s laws for humanity. While the first nine commandments focus on outward actions, the tenth goes to the heart of the matter by prohibiting the desires and attitudes that lead to wrong actions.
There are several reasons why “You shall not covet” is included in the Ten Commandments:
1. Coveting leads to other sins
The act of coveting is an internal sin that often leads to external acts of theft, adultery, murder, and false testimony. When Eve coveted the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, it led her to disobey God’s command not to eat of it (Genesis 3:6). David’s coveting of Bathsheba led him to commit adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11:2-27). Achan coveted plunder from Jericho, leading him to steal what was set apart for God (Joshua 7:20-21). Coveting creates desires in the heart that lead people into other sins.
2. Coveting is idolatry
Coveting places possessions and people at the center of our heart’s affection and worship. It essentially elevates created things to the status reserved only for the Creator. When we covet, we love someone or something more than God, violating the first commandment to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). Coveting is a form of idolatry that often disguises itself as harmless materialism or romantic desire. But in God’s eyes, coveting is properly understood as worshipping an idol in one’s heart.
3. Coveting stems from ingratitude
A coveting heart is never satisfied with what it has, always wanting more and something different. This betrays ingratitude for God’s provision and care. As an antidote, Paul encouraged contentment in every situation because God provides strength to face all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13). The church in Smyrna was spiritually rich even in material poverty because they were grateful for what they had (Revelation 2:9). Coveting flows from dissatisfaction with God’s gifts.
4. Coveting flows from self-centeredness
The coveting heart is focused inward on self-gain instead of outward in love. This violates the two greatest commandments to love God and neighbor wholeheartedly (Matthew 22:37-39). Coveting is the opposite of agape love which “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). It reflects the self-seeking attitude of the world instead of the self-giving mindset of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-7).
5. Coveting refuses to trust God
Coveting what others have indicates a distrust of God’s goodness and care. It reflects anxiety rather than faith that God will meet all our needs (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:19). The Israelites failed to enter the Promised Land because of their coveting hearts and lack of trust in God’s provision (Numbers 14:1-4). Coveting lacks faith that God’s way is perfect and His provision is enough.
6. Coveting ruins relationships
Coveting destroys relationships through competition, envy, suspicion, and greed. It causes people to be suspicious that others have gained things improperly. This erodes friendship and community. Envying another person’s possessions or spouse creates strife rather than goodwill. Coveting values objects and relationships for selfish gain rather than the mutual benefit of all.
7. Coveting spreads discontentment
The discontent produced by coveting is contagious, spreading bitterness and resentment through families and society. Coveting fuels the false beliefs that more possessions or a different spouse will make us happy. Advertising often stokes coveting by portraying the message that we lack something essential for fulfillment. Avoiding coveting requires learning the virtues of humility, patience, simplicity, generosity, and contentment with little.
8. Coveting attempts to steal from God
All good gifts come from God’s hand (James 1:17). When we covet, we question His wisdom and goodness by implying that He has blessed the wrong people or given us the wrong gifts. We attempt to usurp His role by greedily seeking things He has appointed for others. Coveting essentially attempts to steal from God what He has sovereignly chosen to distribute (1 Chronicles 29:14).
9. Coveting reverses God’s values
The world values prestige, pleasure, and possessions as ultimate goals. But Jesus pronounced blessings on the poor, hungry, weeping, and hated (Luke 6:20-23). Coveting what the world treasures reverses the kingdom values proclaimed by Christ. It indicates friendship with the world rather than friendship with God (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). Following Jesus requires embracing kingdom values and crucifying covetous desires.
10. Coveting is impossible to police
Unlike murder and adultery, the internal sin of coveting cannot be observed or punished by human authorities. God alone sees the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Prohibiting coveting in the Ten Commandments highlights God’s authority to judge sins impossible for humans to enforce. The law against coveting teaches that morality encompasses internal thoughts and attitudes, not just external actions.
In summary, the tenth commandment against coveting strikes at the root causes of wrong actions that violate God’s law. Coveting rebels against God’s goodness, promotes false worship, destroys relationships, spreads discontentment, attempts to steal from God, and reverses His value system. Including “you shall not covet” as the final commandment teaches humanity that true righteousness requires inward purity of heart that submits joyfully to God’s wisdom and provision.