Although this is the last of the Ten Commandments given to Israel, it is certainly not the least. What this commandment forbids is at the root of many other sins, including murder[1] and adultery.[2] Covetousness also leads to idolatry as our wicked hearts seek for any means by which to fulfill its lusts. If the True God will not give us what we want, we will seek gods who will. God had promised Israel the Land of Canaan, and with it His bountiful blessings. The children of Israel were going to have more than heart could wish, but covetousness is a lust that is never satisfied, no matter how much a person has. Those who are not content with what God gives them are miserable, and they are drawn by their lust to commit other sins to obtain their desires. In order for Israel to have a peaceful society this unbridled desire had to be controlled.

Exo 20:17 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 any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Prov 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

As believers in Christ we must learn to be content with what God gives us and the state we find ourselves in. God has promised to supply all our need on a daily basis. The problem for most believers is that we get caught up with the thoughts of the world. We are led to believe that we need savings accounts, retirement accounts, rainy day accounts, and other kinds of safety nets in order to survive. This kind of thinking is idolatry as we are looking at the accumulation of money as our source of security. Covetousness also leads us to want more than we need. When we desire to be rich we fall into temptations that lead us away from Christ. We spend our time and energy on the pursuit of things instead of serving Christ. Many Christians are even led to believe that God wants them to be rich and have everything they want. Misguided preachers and teachers fervently proclaim the health, wealth, and happiness gospel to their congregations or television audience. The Bible is very plain that the materialistic world system is not of God but of Satan. Jesus turned down all that the devil offered Him in order to do the will of God, and as His followers, we should do the same.

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Luke 3:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Matt 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

A further aspect of covetousness that plagues believers is not being satisfied with the position we have in the Lords work. Many people covet to be a renowned preacher or a pastor of some large church; others desire to have a great singing voice and to stand before large audiences who applaud their ability. Many believers are envious and jealous of other Christians and their ministries, which can be a great hindrance to God’s work. Our attitude not only affects other brethren, but many people fail to use those gifts that they think are beneath their capacity. God does not always use our human abilities—as they may only be a source of pride. The Holy Spirit places each believer into the body of Christ is such a way that it brings glory to God and blessings to the church as a whole. Individual believers are also blessed as they see God working through their Spirit-given gift to minister to others. The message in this commandment is for believers to be content where God has placed us. He can, and often does reward faithfulness by giving His servants greater responsibilities and use of their gifts. However, spiritual covetousness can lead to bitterness and cause us to “fail of the grace of God.” Some believers become so discontented that they refuse to serve God in any capacity and even withdraw from assembling with other Christians. As with all of these Ten Commandments of Grace, “let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

1 Cor 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Jame 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.