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In Los Angeles, the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed nine candidates for city office in the June primary. Five have either won by drawing over 50% of the vote or now take a lead into the general elections. The Democratic Socialists of America attack private property rights in LA, arguing that all rental property be operated without a profit. Though not their stated intention, the policies they espouse have hurt minority landlords according to an article in City Journal.* The electoral success of socialist candidates in LA is one sign that socialism is gaining acceptance in the United States. Another is the attention given to a few flamboyant women elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. So, is socialism’s growing acceptance a problem? Well, socialism doesn’t square well with the ten commandments.

Yesterday, we looked at the definition of the word covet found in the tenth commandment. It means to desire or crave something that rightfully belongs to another. Exodus 20:17 says it this way, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (NIV)

The word belongs indicates the right of ownership. This commandment, along with the one that forbids stealing, recognizes people have the right to private property. If we want to please God by keeping his commandments, then we must respect the property right of others.

*Soledad Ursúa, “Socialists Rising in L.A., The city’s June elections herald the arrival of a new political force,” City Journal, July 15, 2022, https://www.city-journal.org/socialists-rising-in-los-angeles

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Visit Elmer Fuller’s author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/

Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00 — 3.7MB)

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I remember my mother had a charm bracelet based on the ten commandments. The bracelet had 10 small, rectangular charms. Colored paint decorated one side of each gold charm with a few words representing a commandment.  I used to look at it while sitting in church as a youngster. The one I struggled to understand was “Thou shall not covet.” What did that mean? No one used the word covet.

The longer form of the commandment is in Exodus 20:17, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (NIV)

The word covet refers to desiring something that doesn’t belong to you, such as another’s wife, house or property. This is not the same as wanting something like another has, for example, the same model of car. To covet means you want the neighbor’s car. Some synonyms for covet are to long for, to crave, to wish for things your neighbor owns. Why is this wrong? Because people act on their longings. If you crave something another owns, you’ll likely violate another commandment, such as stealing the property. Covetousness is linked to murder in James 4:2, “You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.” (NIV)

So, admire what others have, but don’t crave what rightfully belongs to them.

How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/

Visit Elmer Fuller’s author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/

Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.