9th and 10th Commandments

[PeteZaHut]

I’ve never fully understood the 9th and 10th Commandments. If I go over to a friend’s house, and he has a really nice TV. That might make me want to have that TV. I don’t know if that’s something I can control. I guess the next step would be to buy the TV. I don’t even know if that is wrong. Is it any different from buying a TV that I just saw in the store instead of seeing it at a friend’s house?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I’ve never fully understood the 9th and 10th Commandments. If I go over to a friend’s house, and he has a really nice TV. That might make me want to have that TV. I don’t know if that’s something I can control. I guess the next step would be to buy the TV. I don’t even know if that is wrong. Is it any different from buying a TV that I just saw in the store instead of seeing it at a friend’s house?

Do you want his TV or just one of the same model. The first might be greed but is not coveting. Coveting is envy, wanting his TV. [My interpretation based on books by Dorothy Sayers and Archbishop Sheen on Capital sins.]

 

[baltobetsy]

When you covet, you want the other person not to have the thing (or person) you covet. In a way, coveting is the precursor to stealing and adultery.

If your friend’s TV is just what you want for yourself, but you fully intend to get your own by a legitimate means, there’s no problem.

Betsy

 

[daeve]

From Dictionary.com:

cov·et
–verb (used with object) 1. to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another’s property.
2. to wish for, esp. eagerly: He won the prize they all coveted.
–verb (used without object) 3. to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.

Coveting is more like an obsessive need to get that item (or person) because you deserve it, why should he have, I should have it!

Have you seen the commercial in which a lady is eating a Sammie (a little flatbread sandwich from Quizno’s) and there a gorgeous girl sitting next to her? Gorgeous thinks, “She’s getting so much pleasure from that little sandwich…that should be ME!” Then she tells the woman, “I hate you!” THAT’S coveting.

 

[baltobetsy]

Have you seen the commercial in which a lady is eating a Sammie (a little flatbread sandwich from Quizno’s) and there a gorgeous girl sitting next to her? Gorgeous thinks, “She’s getting so much pleasure from that little sandwich…that should be ME!” Then she tells the woman, “I hate you!” THAT’S coveting.

What a great example! Now, Gorgeous could also act in a non-sinful way while still desiring a Sammie. She could look at the ordinary lady, be happy for her enjoyment of the Sammie and decide to go buy one for herself. Both would be happy and no one would sin.

Betsy