But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt 6:33

From the account of man’s first transgression against his Creator in the Garden of Eden, people have had a major problem with being responsible and accountable for their personal actions. Adam was told by God to tend, guard, and keep the garden. He was the one placed in authority and ultimately responsible. When Eve was successfully tempted to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam was nearby and failed to guide otherwise.

In the razzle-dazzle of excuses and rationalizing during God’s inquiry, Adam told God the true culprit was the woman He gave her. Following suit, she blamed the serpent for their spiritual woes. The association of love (God) with work and contentment was broken. The seeds of covetousness (desiring what others have rather than being content with what we are responsible and accountable to tend, guard, and keep) were introduced. They continue to rear their ugly heads in many of us to this very day. When we defy living the 10th commandment that says, “Thou shalt not covet they neighbor’s house nor anything that is thy neighbors,” we see the defiled fruit that stems from the irresponsibility and lack of accountability in our original ancestors way back in Genesis.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said for us to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness and all other things will be added as a bonus. If God is truly our source, our boss, our Commander, and social director, then to long for things that belong to others is out of His bounds. In Matthew 7:7, Jesus admonishes us to seek, ask, and knock for His grace and provision… not to seek, ask, or knock elsewhere. God’s life-abundant provision is comprehensive, well-detailed, and conditionally guaranteed. It includes our health, energy, persevering attitude, mental keenness, emotional stability, economic prosperity, marital and family harmony, and social connections. Throw in our God-given gifts, talents, time, passions, abilities and possessions, as well as His trust, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom and we suddenly and dramatically realize what a difference our God makes!

There are many scriptures that warn of the consequences of being covetous. The root of all evil is the love of money. Jesus spoke of money more than He spoke of Heaven. Why? Money represents power, knowledge, fame, influence, judgment and is easily substituted as a counterfeit for God. Each of us was specifically designed to play a role in the body of Christ. We are wonderfully made and fit perfectly into His plan for our life. With Christ as our Head, there is no need or benefit to desire to be someone else or lust after someone’s attributes or possessions.

We will always want… what we want… when we want it… unless we submit to the living God, who wants us to desire and trust in Him.  If the root of all evil is the love of money, then the root of all good is the currency of Love or God Himself.  Craving to know, follow, and rely in Him….one of His commandments at a time…. makes supernatural sense and enlightenment to joyfully live out “Thou shalt not covet they neighbor’s house nor anything that is thy neighbors.”

Ex 20: 17