Today’s bible verse talks about covetousness, which is a strong desire to have something. It is usually attached to an excessive desire for wealth and material possessions, but bottom-line, it is desiring to have something that is not ours. So strong is God’s instruction not to covet, that He included it in the ‘Ten Commandments’ given to Moses. 

So, how do we avoid covetousness? By being ‘satisfied with the present ‘ as Hebrews 13:5 states. So many important details are missed when we don’t take a hard look at what God has already placed in our hands and where we are in the present. There may be little to rejoice over, but gratitude for the small things could be the very seeds He uses to bring the miracles He wants for our lives. Take our families for instance. On one hand, we could focus on all the mistakes, all the failed expectations and disappointments, or we could ‘Learn the art of being a family’, as Pastor Franklin stated in his message on Sunday. We may not realize it, but our family’s welfare and future depends on our walk in the truth that God placed in our hearts – like love, sacrifice, humility, unity, faith and trust in God, etc. Walking in God’s love towards our parents, spouses, children, brothers and sisters, and other family members takes effort, patience, and intention. But if we put forth the effort, God will multiply the seed.

Today’s verse ends with this statement, ‘for He Himself has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ ” Meaning, if we let Him, the Lord will satisfy. We will not need to desire or compare ourselves to anyone. God wants to start a miracle in our own lives. As long as He is with us, there will always be life. There will always be impossibilities turned possible. There will always be a brighter tomorrow. For Jesus Himself said, ‘The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and life abundantly.’ “ (John 10:10) Jesus Christ is the solution for everything we need. 

God can start a miracle today, if we’ll believe. Trust Him and place it in His care, then follow His leading. The little we have will be multiplied as we place our lives, our cares, and our families into His hands to transform.

Querido Padre Celestial,

I confess that I am often tempted by covetousness and discontentment. Since my heart is so deceitful, how do I even know when temptation becomes sin? Shine your light into the dark corners of my heart and help me to walk uprightly. Remind me to be thankful for all of your blessings. Remind me to praise. Put a new song in my heart so that I can fulfill Ephesians 5:19-20, especially “...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

Covetousness can affect anyone in a family when we compare ourselves to others or to an idea of what would be better. As a parent, a son, or a daughter who may not have had a good role model, let us not be covetous for a “better” human father but pray to receive Jesus’ promise that he will not leave or forsake us and submit ourselves to him. We are further instructed in Scripture, “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?? (Hebrews 12:9)