AUGUST 12, Exodus 20:17

“Hey Tom, my parents bought me a new pencil case over the weekend. Want to see?” said Peter, Tom’s best friend in school.

Tom laughed. “What’s so special about a pencil case?”

“It’s not just a pencil case. It has tons of special features. I’ll show you.” The plastic box had many compartments and a long row of buttons on the side. As Peter pressed each button, fascinating things happened — lights shone, flaps popped up, and pens appeared where you would least expect them. There was even a complicated sequence that Peter could press to open a top secret compartment.

By the end of the demonstration, Tom’s mouth was hanging open. “Can I use it for a while?” he begged.

“Sure, just return it to me before the class starts later,” said Peter, generously. Tom placed Peter’s pencil case next to his own pencil case on the table. His pencil case now looked old and boring in comparison, even though he had been perfectly contented with it before.

After school, Tom was still thinking about the pencil case and its amazing features. He rushed through dinner, brushing off his parents’ questions, so that he could search for more information about it online. That night, he even dreamt about how he would get one.

The next day, Tom couldn’t wait to use the pencil case again. But before he could ask Peter, Peter was called away by the teacher to help with something. Tom fidgeted, staring at the pencil case on Peter’s table. He could just take it for a moment, and no one would know. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the pencil case. But as he did so, he accidentally pressed a button. A cheerful song started to play at maximum volume from the pencil case. Everyone turned to look at Tom. He quickly put the pencil case back, feeling very ashamed.

What is coveting, and why is it wrong? Coveting is craving for something that is not yours, such as others’ clothes, gadgets and grades. To covet is forbidden by God in the 10th Commandment. Coveting may lead us to commit other sins such as stealing.

Thought: Contentment is protection against coveting.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive my sin of covetousness. Please help me not to commit this sin again. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.