Exodus 20:17 (NKJV): “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Much of modern culture is materialistic and covetous, in direct contradiction to this Tenth Commandment. We need to be willing to take a look in the mirror, and see ourselves for who we have become, and repent.

To a degree, our economy is based on a culture of discontent and covetousness. Keeping up with others motivates people to purchase goods and services. We see a neighbor buy something new, and we are stirred through envy to buy something new. We see a neighbor get a job promotion, and we are stirred through envy to get a job promotion. We see a neighbor's child going to a prestigious school, and we are stirred through envy to enroll our child in a prestigious school.  

This escalation continues until we find ourselves in serious financial bondage. This bondage tears away at the fabric of our marriage and family life, and can lead to destruction.

By contrast, contentment brings peace. It’s still okay to pursue God-given goals, but as you pursue His goals, you should be content with what He provides you with. Contentment is a rare quality in today's culture, but it's extremely liberating. Why put yourself in bondage when you can be free? As the Word says in Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Let’s think about and discuss these questions:

1、 Do you think the materialistic and greedy culture of the modern world has influenced the way you live today? If so, what adjustments do you think should be made?

2、Why is contentment a rare quality in modern society? Is your heart content with what you have? 

3、Examine the "discontentment" in your heart and figure out where it comes from?