February 20, 2025

Today's Reading: Catechism: The Ninth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Job 15:1-23, 30-35; John 6:60-71

You shall not covet your neighbor's house. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it. (Luther’s Small Catechism – The Ninth Commandment)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Covet: (v.) to sinfully desire what is not yours. This is not meant to be political, but what follows is sometimes used politically. We hear that the “Top 1%” are only seeking more. That the bottom end of the income scale is in terrible shape.

But if you look around the world, the poorest Americans are richer than most of the rest of humanity. Billions of people live on around $2.00 per day. Yes, two dollars. It puts into perspective that desire for a new iPhone, doesn’t it? A new car for graduation sounds a bit…much when billions of people don’t have running water at home. I don’t say this to make you feel guilty (unless you are coveting something fiendishly right now!) but to put things into perspective.

Your neighbor is anyone on earth who isn’t you. So, how can you be a faithful Christian who loves all of your neighbors and doesn’t just think of yourself? By remembering what Jesus did for you. We can love only because Jesus first loved us. Jesus showed his perfect love for you in his life, death, and resurrection. He still shows that love in his Word, in Holy Absolution, in Baptism, and in the Lord’s Supper— Gifts freely given to you in love.

Because he piles this love and these Gifts upon you, you are able to love your neighbors near and far. You can consider how to love them both spiritually and materially by remembering how Jesus has already loved and forgiven you. Yes, Jesus will forgive your covetousness just like every other sin you bring before him in repentance.

Do you need an iced coffee every day, or could you help the local food bank with that money? Do you need another pair of sneakers (that everyone else in your class has!), or might you be able to love your neighbors by giving those dollars to the mission society your church supports?

You aren’t going to solve world poverty by giving up Starbucks and Vans, but that’s not the point. Instead, focus more on your neighbors than yourself. Love those around you as you can and as you are able with the love of Christ, and that will help you to think less about what you want and more about your family in Christ.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

"You shall not crave your neighbor's house Nor covet money, goods, or spouse. Pray God He would your neighbor bless As you yourself wish success." Have mercy, Lord! (LSB 581:10)

-Rev. Duane Bamsch, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.