 Imagine life without covetousness. No desire for that which belongs to others would create a very different world than the one we live in. Especially for the economy, advertising & social media! But also for personal development. Besides being one of the 10 commandments, many Bible verses confirm the law: "covet-not". The Bible encourages us to be content with what God provides rather than worried or constantly per-occupied with gaining more. God wants the majority of our focus to be on Him; worshiping, sharing the gospel, praying etc... rather than on accumulating more money, things, skills & experiences. Two examples from scripture: The well known Psalm 23 says: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." or in other words "...I lack nothing" (Psalm 23:1 ESV / NIV). Another well known passage of the Bible, from 1 Corinthians, describes many qualities of love, which according to Jesus, summarizes the most important of the commandments - to love God & love our neighbor. Here are 3 versions of 1 Corinthians 13:4, interestingly pointing out that.... "Love doesn't want what it doesn't have." (The Message) "It does not envy..." (NIV) "It is not jealous..." (NASB)  Understanding that, as a Christian, I belong to the Lord, I see now that my past, self-focus on my own desires was a form of covetousness. I spent many years trying to stretch my capacity to achieve what I wanted. It certainly is not for lack of trying that I became unable to continue on as I was. As well as a career in a helping profession, I've wanted my own family, a husband & kids, as surely as I've wanted air to breathe. However, the way I went about this, in combination with God's will, has me living now in quite different arrangements! LOL, thanks be to God for leaving the ninety-nine to come get me! I don't know the future but I do know to continue seeking after & trusting what the Lord provides.  A photo of me with my friend Gaby's beautiful baby boy, Kameron in 2018. When I was around 17, my friend Crystal gave me a 'Love Letter From God' (by Arielle Ford). Back then, I thought that I was abiding by its message, but it turns out that 'belonging to the Lord' is a life-long, ever deepening commitment & most certainly is not for the faint of heart! "You must keep watching Me expecting the greatest of things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM. Keep listening and learning the things that I will tell you. Just wait. That’s all. Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things others have or that I have given them. Don’t look at the things you think you want. Just keep looking up to Me or you will miss what I want to show you. And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you have dreamed of." (Arielle Ford)  “This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’; And that one will call on the name of Jacob; And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’ And will name Israel’s name with honor. (Isaiah 44:5 NASB 1977). As a side note, in case you are wondering as I did, why is it that we are not to covet or be envious but God, who is love (1 John 4:8), is a 'jealous God' (Exodus 20:5)? It is explained well here on this post that when we belong to God & yet stray from Him, He has rightful, Godly jealousy.
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