Avoiding the Trap of Want

“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.” -Exodus 20:17 

A fly was buzzing around one day when he saw a large crowd of flies dancing below him on a piece of brown paper. Intrigued, he flew in for a closer look. What fun they were having! He just had to be a part of it. But as he got ready to land, a bee suddenly stopped him.

“Don’t land there… that’s flypaper and it will kill you!” said the bee.

“Stop being silly,” the fly retorted. “Look at how much fun they’re all having!” And with that, the little fly landed and joined the ‘party’.

Appearances can be deceiving, especially when it looks like things are working out so well for other people. They have nice cars, expensive clothes, and from the outside looking in, they seem to have it all together.

But what you don’t see with so many people who ‘have it together’ are the mounds of debt they’re drowning under, the self-image issues they’re constantly battling, and the toxic, crumbling relationships they have with others. When it comes to coveting what others have, things are rarely what they seem.

No good ever comes from coveting what someone else has. So instead of wishing you had more of this or a better that, thank God for what you have today. Live free from coveting and you’ll experience much more joy!

Prayer Challenge:

Pray and ask God to release you from the trap of want so you’ll find satisfaction in His blessings today.

Questions for Thought:

Think of something you want but you don’t have today. Is it possible that want may have more control over life than God would desire?

How might your life look differently if you were completely content with everything God has already given you?