Trust, Not Worry, About Possessions
«Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's.»
«Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?»
Promise and fulfilment
In the Old Testament, humanity was admonished not to covet the possessions of their neighbour. This instruction was intended to protect against envy and the dissatisfaction it brings, fostering peaceful coexistence.
In Christ, this instruction has been fulfilled and deepened: He teaches us that true freedom lies not in merely refraining from coveting, but in trusting in God's provision. Those who rely on their heavenly Father need not worry about material things, and are thus freed from the root of covetousness.
Let these verses remind you to take your own Bible in your hands, read them there again and, if you wish, continue a little further. Holding God's Word in your hands also gives you a precious moment away from the digital world.
Do not read the Bible in one long run, but passage by passage: one text, unhurried, asking the Holy Spirit for understanding. Whoever tries to swallow everything at once loses the overview. Whoever takes one passage each day will see the whole picture over time.
The connection
The Old Testament commandment forbids coveting the possessions of others, to prevent envy and discord. Christ goes further, calling us to entrust all our worries to God, so that our hearts may be freed from covetousness and material anxieties. He shifts the focus from a prohibition to an inner attitude of deep trust.
Reflection
Yesterday, we reflected on Jesus' radical call to love our enemies. Today, he continues this theme of inner disposition. The Tenth Commandment in the Old Testament acts as a bulwark against envy and greed. It clearly defines boundaries, preventing us from falling into the trap of desiring what belongs to others. It is a prohibition that establishes external order and seeks to protect us from the consequences of uncontrolled desires.
Jesus takes this commandment and turns it from an external rule into an internal transformation. He doesn't simply say, 'Do not covet,' but rather, 'Do not worry.' He looks to the root of our desires and our discontent: the fear of not having enough, the anxiety about our future and our possessions. If we are constantly worrying about what we will eat, drink, or wear, then we are inwardly captive, no matter how much we own.
By urging us to be like the birds, who neither sow nor reap yet are fed, Jesus invites us to place our complete trust in God. It's not about becoming passive, but about changing our inner attitude. When our hearts trust that God will provide for us, the need to covet what others have diminishes. Then we can be free from the burden of worry and discover the fullness of life in God's hands.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I often find myself dwelling on what I do not have, or worrying about what tomorrow may bring. I ask you, help me to free my heart from this anxiety. Teach me to trust you as the birds of the air, whom you feed. Let me recognise that my life is more than food and clothing, and that you care for me. Grant me a contented heart that does not covet, but is grateful for all that you provide. Amen.
The thread
Following yesterday's discussion on radical enemy-love, today deepens the inner attitude of trust. We continue our annual arc 'Christ Comes' and remain with the weekly theme 'The Sermon on the Mount', connecting the Tenth Commandment with Jesus' teaching on worry. Next week, we will explore miracles and compassion.
May your heart today be free from worry and covetousness, by trusting completely in God's provision.
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