This gnosh concludes our series of ten Snacks reflecting on the Big Ten of our God from Exodus 20. The goal has been to hear what God says to us. Do expect to hear the voice of your Lord and God as this series draws to its close. It has not been difficult to hear that voice from on high as he has spoken anew into our own lives day by day.

One of the driving forces in our society these days is the thrust to accumulate more and more stuff. One of the immediate problems for us is the reality that there is only so much stuff to go around. This necessitates that we continue to make more and more stuff, or to transfer stuff around so I can have some of it.

When one wants more and more stuff, and it isn’t available from any source other than from another person—well, that means trouble. I can very easily come to the place of wanting your stuff for myself, by whatever means necessary. That is why God insists in Exodus 20.17: ‘You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.’ And God is not particular about what that stuff is, either.

We used to play around with the act of coveting through some switcheroo: if I had his new car and he had a feather under his arm, we’d both be tickled, ha, ha! That is not funny to our Father. What he wants for me is to trust him with the stuff I need rather than to expect you to meet my need for more stuff! I am to praise God for blessing you! That is what a good neighbor does! My Lord will see that I get all I need as a reward for being faithful to him regarding you. GREED IS SIN!