Sermon
Do Not Covet
Cornerstone Church of Ames
Speaker: Jacob Boyd
November 9, 2025 · 24 min
Summary
Exodus 20:17 prohibits coveting—desiring what belongs to neighbors. Though hidden in the heart, coveting carries real costs: it steals joy, undermines relationships, and sows distrust in God. True freedom comes through cultivating contentment by guarding against social media, celebrating others, and practicing gratitude.
Highlights
Coveting is the thief of joy. When our eyes are on what other people have we can lose a sense of joy and what God has already given us.
Coveting sows distrust with God. There is a lie that began in the garden and it continues today: is God good? Does he really know what's best for my life?
If you want to be a person of contentment fix your eyes on Jesus and the things of earth that we might be tempted to covet will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.