Reaching for Other Men’s Goods – Sunday, January 12, 1941
There is a very old theme that comes to mind today – 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 * * * any thing that is thy neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)
As we look out upon the game of high seizure that goes on about us, 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 physical and 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 create the means to acquire like things for ourselves, which is 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 he 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 Is a proud man * * * and 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). Such is one scriptural appraisal of a covetous man, and that is why, in this old-fashioned comment on the world and its troubles, 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)
January 12, 1941
Broadcast Number 0,595