STOP COVETING! START LOVING! (3)

“You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour” (Exo 20:17; AMP). Coveting is defined as having a strong desire of envy and greed to possess something that belongs to another, his property, spouse or status. It is often accompanied by dis-contentment with what you currently have. Covetousness is not a simple desire for what others have but a passionate and selfish longing that leads to other sins like theft, adultery or crime. Coveting damages relationships thru envy and bitterness. The sin of coveting is hidden. It starts in the heart. It is not only manifested in actions but in desires and thoughts. In the Garden of Eden, Eve desired the forbidden fruit. It led to disobedience and affected all humanity. God judged and punished that sin. All men suffer from that sin.

COVETING COMES FROM COMPARING

“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2Cor 10:12). Paul criticizes the practice of using yourself as the standard for measurement with others. The Corinthian church was influenced by the world that valued status and comparison. Paul calls for a different standard rooted in divine wisdom and humility. Self-comparison is spiritual blindness to the values of God’s kingdom. This ignorance is the opposite to God’s wisdom, which is pure, peace-loving, and considerate (Jam 3:13-17). We should seek God’s approval and grow in wisdom, rather than human praise. Humility is a key Christian virtue. Let us humble ourselves like Jesus!

“We dare not” shows that comparison is spiritually dangerous, not just unwise. “Class, compare and measuring” is by human standards. The Holy Spirit rejects human wisdom! Why comparing with one another is foolish? Because it replaces God’s standard who is His Son, Jesus, with shifting human opinions. It produces pride when we appear superior and discouragement when we feel inferior to others. The root of a comparing heart is Pride that desires recognition and inferiority complex from ignorance of your identity in Christ. It produces envy, covetousness, competition and division. What is the cure? Becoming more spiritual! Becoming like Jesus! Christ died for you and accepted you as you are. No need to ask any man for approval. The gifts we receive from Christ are grace-gifts, not personal achievements. These are unique for each believer and not to be compared with others. Salvation and the call of God are personal. Jesus told Peter: “You follow Me!” (Jn 21:22). True boasting centres on the Lord, not on personal status: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (2Cor 10:17). Celebrate God’s work in others; verbal encouragement silences envy. Thanksgiving redirects focus from what others have, to what God has provided to you. Meditate on Scriptures declaring God’s personal design for you, to strengthen your Christ rooted identity. “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14), Conscious refusal to compare, combined with delight in God’s personal grace, guards your heart from pride and discouragement and preserves unity within the body of Christ. Selah!

These are some visible signs of coveting:

*You do not rejoice with those who rejoice!

*You pay more attention to people’s things (their money) than to the people’s souls (hearts)!

*Your prayers for material things are not answered. This is because you pray amiss, to satisfy your flesh! Covetousness blocks prayer.

*You think that bigger is always better (bigger house, bigger cars, bigger salary etc)

*You always complain about your house, spouse or job.

LESSONS TAKEN FROM THE STUBBORN CALF

“For Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn calf; Now the LORD will let them forage Like a lamb in open country” (Hos 4:16). “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the LORD my God” (Jer 31:18). Isreal is like a stubborn calf (a young cow), that plants its feet in the ground and refuses to submit to its master. God wants us to be like lambs in the peaceful, fruitful, safe “open country”, under the watchful eyes of the Sheperd, who is Christ Himself.

STUBBORNESS REVEALED

Stubbornness is an attitude to do what you want and reject all correction even when faced with reasonable opposition. It is fighting a lost battle with reality. Losers are stubborn. It comes from pride, from a desire to stay in control especially when you are insecure or anxious.

*The stubborn calf (backslider) refuses to submit and carry its yoke. God says: “For long ago you broke your yoke [in deliberate disobedience] And tore off your bonds [of the law that I gave you]; You said, ‘I will not serve and obey You!’ For on every high hill And under every green tree You have lain down [in idolatrous worship] like a [compliant] prostitute” (Jer 2:20; AMP).

*The backslider refuses correction: “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, 16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”! Therefore, you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”! Therefore, those who pursue you shall be swift!” (Isa 30:15,16).

CONSEQUENCES OF STUBBORNESS

*The backslider loses God’s protection. A stubborn calf wanders away from protection and becomes an easy prey to wild animals.

*The backslider loses its privileges and fellowship with God: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king” (1 Sam 15:23)

*God disciplines the stubborn backslider. “For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue” (Hosea 5:14). In Judgment God’s shows mercy! Jesus, our good Shepherd, specializes in turning stubborn calves into submissive lambs. When we surrender each day to Him, He leads us to the open country of peace, protection, and purpose. To God be all the glory!

LESSONS FROM BROTHER JOSEPH (Genesis 30:1-23)

“The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man… “Joseph was handsome in form and appearance” (Gen 39:2,6). Joseph was handsome. This gift attracted temptation. God made Lucifer, the chief of angels, to be beautiful and wise. He became proud and rebellious. God judged him: “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty…  Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you” (Ezekiel 28:12,17).

While Joseph’s appearance is noted, his character and God’s favour on him are what truly define his success. Other Bible characters were beautiful and strong. Sarah was beautiful even at 90 years of age when she became pregnant (Gen 20:2-7). David: “was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance” (1 Sam 16:12).  Esther “had a lovely figure and was beautiful” (Esther 2:7). Daniel was in the group of “young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom” (Dan 1:4). Jospeh is a type of Christ who despite being sinless, faced temptation and trials. Lessons: External beauty is God’s gift. It should lead to humility and thanksgiving. But like Absalom, it can lead to pride and destruction. To balance it, external beauty needs internal spiritual changes. God’s blessings cover the whole person: spirit, mind, and body. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (Jam 1:17). External beauty, opportunities, resources, intelligence, physical strength, all are entrusted to us to be faithful stewards to God. Beauty and other visible gifts usually bring severe trials of faith. Humility and faithfulness attract God’s favour. Cultivating God’s presence, the beauty of holiness, is the secret for all godly success!

Integrity is defined as the practice of being honest, respectful, speaking the truth, having a clean conscience, being faithful to God’s Word and moral principles, and consistently making wise, positive decisions. The opposite of integrity is corruption and compromise. Corruption means lowering your standard of moral principles. Joseph is in Egypt through painful family betrayal. He is sold as a slave to Potiphar. Despite being a slave, he displays integrity, humility and wisdom. He becomes Potiphar’s chief steward. This is evidence that godly character and integrity is not bound by circumstances. Potiphar saw that Joseph was handsome, but he was not jealous or afraid to put him in charge of all things in his house. He trusted his character. “The integrity and moral courage of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them” (PV 11:3; AMP). Man’s godly character is not passive. It is an internal invisible spiritual force, guiding him in paths or righteousness towards godly success. The unbeliever, the wicked man, is internally pushed towards evil, abandons truth and ends in destruction. Lesson: Godly character and not external beauty leads to good success in life!

Potiphar was a busy man and probably travelled a lot. Joseph often worked alone, without supervision. Yet, his conduct remained the same. Lessons: True integrity is inward before it is seen outward. Joseph’s private faithfulness to God sustained his public testimony. Joseph obeyed God’s Word: “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3:22-24). God rewards godly character and faithfulness!

Paul said: “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1Cor 4:1,2). This is an excellent picture of a godly faithful steward. Joseph was protecting property that was not his own. He was totally free from covetousness. He was not envious or greedy for Potiphar’s goods, wife or status. His godly character helped refuse Potiphar’s wife’s temptation. He told her: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9). Selah!

Nothing is hidden before God! Living in God’s presence is the best way to resist and reject sin. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good” (PV 15:3). God is intimately involved with His creation. He sees and knows everything we think, plan and do. God is not limited by time or space. He is the ultimate Judge of all men, good or bad. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (PV 9:10). As believers, we must continue to do good, even if nobody sees us, because God sees, judges and rewards us all. This is warning to the wicked and encouragement to the righteous!

Acting with integrity has many personal, social, and professional benefits. 1-Influence, leadership. Joseph’s faithful stewardship blessed Potiphar’s whole household (Gen 39:5). 2-Protection. God protected Joseph all his life. Even in prison, God’s favour went with him. 3-Preparation for greater success. The management skills Joseph learned in Potiphar’s house and in prison prepared him to become the Governor of Egypt (Gen 41:39-41). For every planting there is a harvest. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal 6:9). Selah!

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates” (PV 31:30,31). This verse is addressed to the women, but the principle is universal to all. Joseph was a handsome man. But his godly character was even more beautiful than his outward appearance. The verse also compares that which is temporal with that which is eternal. God values the internal beauty more than the external one. For both men and women, the fear of God produces holiness which is a greater beauty than what our eyes can see.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1Sam 16:7). Outward beauty is appreciated by men. It can open doors, but it can also attract snares. The fear of the LORD, godly character equips a believer to navigate thru open doors and avoid snares. Lasting honor and respect among men comes not from outward beauty but from godly character. Joseph’s beauty fades into the background as his godly character and wisdom shines forth in Egypt’s prison and palace alike. Measure people’s worth by their obedience to God and not by admiration. Thank God for your beautiful face. But pay the price for godliness. Outer beauty may draw attention, but inner beauty wins divine award. God says that godly character is “to be praised!”

Be faithful in present tasks, however small. Integrity grows and increases with time. Honor God in unseen moments; He sees and rewards. Treat every gift and resource (time, money, beauty, relationships…) as stewardship from God. Be “a good and faithful servant” to God. Make up your mind to resist the devil and his temptations. You shall not covet the things God has entrusted to you on behalf of others. Early convictions stand firm later, when the pressure increases. Your body is God’s gift. You are a steward of your body. You must answer to God for the way you use your body. No sexual sin is allowed. Sex is a gift from God to be activated only from the wedding day. God will use your testimony of integrity to influence others for good, to protect you from the devil and in His own time, God will open doors for greater visible success! Worship the Lord!