It may seem strange to follow up a post on the First “Commandment” of the Decalogue with one on the Tenth. But I think it may help demonstrate to you how all Ten are a unified message, not simply a list. Consider what happens if he go straight from One to Ten. I submit that this sounds quite natural and logical:
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me… You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Exodus 20:2, 2, 17 ESV
Something similar happens if we mash up the Sixth Word with the Tenth:
You shall not murder… You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Exodus 20:13, 17 ESV
This works especially well when we remember that the first murder in history was motivated by resentment and envy (Genesis 4:1-8).
The close affinity between the First and Tenth words is bolstered, almost as an aside, by Paul in his letter to the Colossians:
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, enthroned at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Regard as dead, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:1–6
In Paul’s mind, then, the Tenth Word of the Decalogue “wraps around” to the First. The idea seems to be that, if we acknowledge the true God as our Lord, then each of us can (and will to the extent that we sincerely trust God) be confident that God has given us that blessings and challenges that are good for us. We do not need to resent others or desire their blessings. This interpretation is substantiated by Deuteronomy 26:1-15, which is Moses application of the Tenth Commandment. That section is all about acknowledging God’s ownership of everything and his generosity in blessing his people with provision.
Thus, the prohibition on covetousness based on Christian Monotheism allows each of us, as believers, to be the emotionally and intellectually independent individuals who can (paradoxically?) live in community. Remember that, among other things, the First Commandment was about establishing a group identity. But belonging to a group means the temptation to jealousy and rivalry. A healthy community life requires a Biblically-informed individualism and personal independence.
In my opinion, this is presented by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.
Galatians 6:1–5 ESV
I included verse 1 for context. But the rest of the passage seems deliberately framed by paradoxical sentences. I have written on this passage before, so I won’t repeat myself here. My point in bringing it up in the context of the Tenth Word is to point out how the prohibition makes true community possible. If we are not supposed to be led astray by rivalry or boasting over others, how much more is it wrong and perverse to be consumed by envy and resentment?
But if we trust God, then we can be confident that our problems are tests meant for us and that God is providing what we need. We can serve Him and help others without being distracted by perceived inequality. God establishes our place and allows us to develop personal integrity.
Ultimately, the prohibition on covetousness means we get to regard ourselves as blessed and destined for glory. We have too much to worry about what others possess.