Only God can make laws that are binding on the heart of man (Exodus 20:17), for He alone knows and can judge the heart.

1. The Seriousness Of Covetousness
Men commonly regard sins like covetousness as small matters. The Creator however knows the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Consider the evil and danger of this sin:
A. Covetousness in the heart of man is a fountain of sin. Covetousness caused Eve to sin in Eden, Judas to betray Christ, and David to fall into adultery and murder. The tenth commandment is actually a guard to the rest for covetousness will cause a man to break all of the commandments.
(1) Covetousness causes us to put other things before God (Exodus 20:3, Job 31:24-28).
(2) Covetousness makes wealth our idol (Exodus 20:4, Ephesians 5:5).
(3) Covetousness causes men to swear falsely and use God’s name for mere gain (Exodus 20:7).
(4) Covetousness caused men to break the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8). Today men work on the Lord's Day for financial benefit. (5) Covetousness can cause the neglect of parents (Exodus 20:12, Matthew 15:3-6).
(6) Covetousness is responsible for war and murder (Exodus 20:13).
(7) Adultery begins when men covet what is not theirs (Exodus 20:14).
(8) Think of how the entertainment industry exploits sex for money.
(9)Covetousness is the mother of theft (Exodus 20:15).
(10) Slander and deception may often be traced back to the sin of covetousness (Exodus 20:16).
B. Covetousness reveals a heart that does not love its neighbor. Perfect love would rejoice when others are blessed (II John 2). Covetousness is the essence of selfishness and self-love.
(1) Covetousness like all sin is damning (I Corinthians 6:10).
(2) Covetousness is disgraceful in a professing Christian (I Corinthians 5:11).
(3) Covetousness is what makes money to be wrongly loved (I Timothy 6:9-10).
(4) Covetousness is a foolish sin that blinds men’s minds (Luke 12:15-21).

2. Avoiding Covetousness
A. May we learn to be content with God's provision (Philippians 4:11, I Timothy 6:6-9).
B. Let us trust in God (Hebrews 13:5). He will provide for us (Matthew 6:24-33) and in a way that is best for us.
C. We need to cultivate a giving spirit (Acts 20:35). One blessing of tithing is that we are helped to be free of covetousness.