He . . . Cannot Be Satisfied – Sunday, November 08, 1942
There is a very old theme that comes again to mind—so old, indeed, that anyone who presumes to comment upon it, must risk the accusation of being old-fashioned—which, after all, is just a modern way of saying that you are reminding someone of something which makes them uncomfortable—especially if they need to be reminded of it.
When Moses came down from the mountain with his code for the conduct of men, prominent among the ten basic laws was one which read—and still does—”Thou shalt not covet … anything that is thy neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17) As we observe about us the grasping that goes on from man to man and from nation to nation, we are forced to the conclusion that one of the first causes of all present difficulty is the ignoring of the commandment not to covet.
There aren’t many things that any of us have that someone would not or does not covet. There are those who covet other men’s goods and properties and possessions, of course. But there are those who go even beyond this and covet his way of life, his beliefs, his loyalties, his freedom, his very spiritual heritage, and even his country. If they are strong they take what they want. If they are weak they let desire canker within them.
It is one thing to appreciate the desirability of what someone else has, but it is quite a different thing to covet. The one may lead to the work and sacrifice necessary to accumulate the means to acquire like things for ourselves, which is a spur to productivity and takes nothing from any one, and enriches the world. But he who reaches, by reason of covetousness, for what is not his, blights all be touches—including his own peace and his own soul.
The ancient prophet spoke strongly on the subject when he said, describing a covetous man, “He … cannot be satisfied…. Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his … because thou hast spoiled, many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee.” (Habakkuk 2:,5, 6 and 8) And so it is that we sense a deep need for the leadership of those who, as Jethro describes them, are “able men, such as fear God—men of truth, hating covetousness” (Exodus 18:21)—all manner of covetousness—no matter where we find it, and no matter under what name it may be masquerading.
By Richard L. Evans, spoken from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, Nov. 8, 1942, over Radio Station KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System. Copyright – 1942.
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November 08, 1942
Broadcast Number 0,690