Moving from actions to the attitude that lies behind wrong actions, the last commandment prohibits coveting persons, property, and possessions of others (Deuteronomy 5:21). Coveting is different from ambition, which is the drive to work hard to achieve what is best for the individual. Rather, it is the desire to acquire beyond what God has permitted one to have. It stems from discontentment, often caused by comparing ourselves with others. ″If I have what they have,″ we think, ″I will be successful, and thus content.″

We are prohibited first from coveting our neighbour's spouse. The media fuels lust for others by publishing photos of scantily clad people and lists of the sexiest men and women. But Christians believe God will give us a fulfilled life without us needing to look at the bodies of people who are not our spouses for satisfaction.

Next, we are not to desire our ″neighbour's house or land″. Houses and properties give us a feeling of permanence or security, which is a deep longing of the human soul. Even Christians could get lured into scheming to get property that is not rightfully theirs, as evidenced by property disputes, a major cause for disharmony, even within Christian families. While owning one's own land is good and encouraged in the Bible, we are reminded that ″we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come″ (Hebrews 13:14). Our longing for permanence will not be fulfilled on this earth. It is thus foolish to break the principles of the eternal city to scheme and fight for a piece of land in this temporal world.

Finally, the possessions mentioned include servants, animals, and ″anything that belongs to your neighbour″ (Deuteronomy 5:21). These were indicators of wealth and prestige in those days. The equivalent of these today are things like vehicles, mobile phones, computers, and clothes. Some Christians spend an incredible amount of money keeping up with the latest trends to get things, most of which they do not need, believing they can find contentment through these purchases.

But the truth is, only God can truly satisfy the longings of our hearts. His presence alone brings true contentment. This is why the Bible says, ″Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'″ (Hebrews 13:5). Paul understood God's abiding presence with him so well that, even in prison, he learnt to be ″content whatever the circumstances″ because ″I can do all this through him who gives me strength″ (Philippians 4:11-13). This is the best way to live. As Paul says, ″godliness with contentment is great gain″ (1 Timothy 6:6). We are not losing by being content in God: we are gaining!