Please sing me your thoughts about covetousness.
And truly, I would like to know.
It seems every time that I step out my door
and at every place that I go
I see thing after thing that I “need”…that I want
and most would say that it’s okay…
But is it not greed or avarice perhaps
that I windowshop people all day?
I’ve been far away from the West for awhile,
Not years, but just months now, you see.
But it feels long enough for a detox to start
— I wake face to face with my greed.
I thought to find solace at church, perhaps
but while I sing praises for Grace
I find a heart struggle to see words on the screen,
for want of the clothes in the place.
And how, I must wonder have we come so far
to think that it might just be sweet…
More clothes in our closet than we’ll wear in 3 months
while others lack shoes on their feet?
Am I not still greedy — though I “don’t have much” —
is it not avarice at some speed?
To long for day in, week in, and week out
so many things I’ll never need.
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Poetry! You are a catch aren’t you! Keep ’em coming sweetheart. I love the reality.
I hear ya sister.
These last years making the return to Edinburgh – leaving my flat, with my bed, my (ok secondhand) sofa, my kitchen, my colour coded chopping boards.
Made me realise the differences between my ‘wants’ and ‘needs’
I think what I most covet are the stuff I see my christian brothers & sisters with. ‘How come they get to have a MacBook (when I’ve still got my 4 year old iBook) or an iPhone or a funky posh camera or new shoes or new glasses or contact lenses or [insert something I’d really love to have because …… ] and I don’t?’
With my non Christian friends I can recite Psalm 73 and think….well…they don’t have grace or whatever. But can’t do that so much with my believing friends….they get grace, Jesus & the latest gadget from Apple.
Wish I was more holy. But I’m not.
I’m trying really hard to keep my money in my pocket, where I like it! I dont *need* those new shoes…………..but they’re so cute!
At Christmas, everyone asks me what I want. But I don’t need anything, and I keep reminding myself of that.
I could use a newer car, but this one gets me where I need to go.
I blame Target!
Thanks for your thoughts sisters. I have some more, perhaps deeper words simmering in my heart on the subject… Asking the Lord for clarity and guidance and wisdom (and forgiveness!). I might have more to share on the subject soon! (My present locale certainly is breeding opportunities for thoughtfulness about this!)
Hi Kazzie!
As usual I am enjoying your quirky blog! You write beautifully and I think you are getting better and better at it. HIGH FIVE!!!!
I have also been thinking about covetousness recently – it started because every time I went into ‘town’ (the heaving metropolis of Perth) I would spend at least 50 or 60 pounds on bits of clothing, books, food etc… and when I got home I would feel very very heavy and depressed and sick. I’ve tried to discern what is inappropriate guilt and what is a real feeling of loss due to overindulgence… but the experience has made me much more careful of on what and how much I spend.
Two things that have really helped me –
I found this quote.
“So much has been given me, I have no time to ponder that which has been denied”
Guess who said that? Helen Keller. HECTIC. This totally blew me away and inspired me – seriously, if she could say that, a lot of people could – also come to that place of gratitude by grace.
How can we also ‘not have time’ for covetousness? In the same way that trying not to think of a yellow elephant makes us think of a yellow elephant, we need to change tack entirely and occupy our thoughts with other things. Like a baby that is too young to be disciplined, distraction works wonders! ‘Here, Soul, look at this – see how it beeps/jingles/is so pretty in the sunlight…’
The second thing that helps me is an idea from Jerry Sittser, who wrote ‘The Will of God as a Way of Life’. He reviews the 10 commandments and finds the HEART of God in each of them. In “Thou shalt not covet” he shows how covetousness DIVIDES THE SELF as it is a limbo sin – desiring but not fulfilling, back and forth, back and forth. We are ‘ironically denied both the intense pleasure of obeying God, and the fleeting pleasure of sin’. Is it yes or no? Will I buy that dress or not? It’s got to be yes or no or you break your own heart (again). And if you know yourself and your God well enough, you know you know what the answer is! (And sometimes it isn’t no!)
I think the point is that when we sin we hurt our souls. I don’t want to hurt my soul. I want to be whole. Not sinning is less of a ‘denying myself’ issue for me nowadays, and more of a hedonistic longing (thanks John Piper) for wholeness – and that is SO much more of an impetus!
What do you think?
loads of love
Pammy xx
Pammy! It has taken me ages to reply to this comment and I still can’t because it’s just so good…what can I say other than, yes! That Hellen Keller quote was really remarkable. I think it deserves its own post. If you want to guest post about covetousness will ya let me know? It’s still on my heart and in my thoughts and I have another post coming about it soon. Love you lots.