Your Neighbor

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. Exodus 20:17 KJV

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.  Exodus 20:17 Douay Rheims

In the last post "The Law is Fulfilled",  we spoke about how the Law was fulfilled through Jesus Christ.  A few weeks earlier on January 18th's blog, we spoke on "Riches".  Prosperity preaching where God wants us to be rich or wealthy has caused an increase in Covetedness or Covetness, if there is such a word., maybe Covet is the right the word.  

There is a reason why Jesus came, people can't or will not follow laws.  If everyone followed the 10 commandments, there would be no need for Jesus Christ to come down as a human to save people from their sins.  The 10 Commandments pretty much sum up all of life's sins or evil.  One in particular is destroying lives, coveting.  

Many people come to the United States illegally or overstay their VISA.  That is coveting another persons things.  100 percent true.  Unless the Lord directed you to leave your land to a new one due to danger or violence, you are coveting another person's job, house, things, etc...It is the same as legal American's.  Although this is a subject for another blog, do you not think God can provide you with everything where you are?  Or God can't provide for you because of the color of your skin?  Talk about a false witness or a light being covered under a bushel (read the post "light of the world").  

For those who miss God's blessing, read the book of George Muller's Autobiography who ran an orphanage for kids, hundreds of them, where they prayed everyday for food to eat.  Or watch the movie Mully about Charles and Esther Mully in Kenya who went from extreme wealth to starting an orphanage.  When God said to give all your wealth to the poor and follow Him, Mully and Muller lived out the command to the fullest.  

God's plan for our life as Christians is to save souls, not politics, not wealth, not comfort, but to save souls.  As James said, faith without works is dead.  Go back and read "The Law is Fulfilled" as Jesus allows the Sun and Rain to fall on everyone, Jesus allows good people to be extremely poor because Souls need to be won not riches to be gathered.  

I hear you, that is easy for you to say living in the US as things are plentiful, where I live things are scarce.  America is living for covetedness.  I see it everyday.  I can honestly say, there is not one thing on earth I covet or desire.  Not one.  I am thankful for everything the Lord has provided my family and am content to live my life for the Lord.  When the Lord asks me to give, I give.  When He asks me to save, I save because there is a time and a season for everything.  My wife says all the time, there will be a time when people will have lots of money but nothing to buy.  

This post is not to lambast illegal immigrants, judge a person's skin, or look down on the situation they are in.  What I am trying to say is what does it say about your witness if Christ can't provide for you exactly where you are in life that you need to covet or run after riches.  .  As Christians, we need to shine our light bright for the world to see not hide it under a bushel or extinguish the light and covet after things against the will of God.  Jesus Christ is the Light that Shines bright.  My life is a witness to the grace of God as I live our Psalm 23:1-6

 "THE Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

What a great Psalm, pray this everyday that the Lord blesses you to never want or covet a thing in life yet at the end of each day you will have plenty left over as your cup overflows.  This is what living for Christ is about being a light while walking through the "valley of the shadow of death" or eating with darkness all around you.  Be a light that shines bright.  Save souls that are lost.