Ang ika-sampung utos ay ito:
"Huwag mong iimbutin ang bahay ng iyong kapwa; huwag mong iimbutin ang asawa ng iyong kapwa, o ang kanyang aliping lalaki o ang kanyang aliping babae, o ang kanyang baka, o ang kanyang asno, o ang anumang bagay ng iyong kapwa." Exodus 20:17 ABAB
Ang pag-iimbot o pagiging sakim sa pag-aari ng kapwa ay isang seryosong kasalanan. Ang bayan ng Israel ay binigyan ng Diyos ng kanilang pangangailangan araw-araw at nararapat na sila’y makuntento sa mayroon sila. Sa bagong tipan ating mababasa na ito ay inihanay sa ibang mabibigat na kasalanan na hindi dapat makita sa mga mananampalataya. Isinulat ni Pablo sa iglesia sa Efeso (5:3 ESV), “Ngunit ang pakikiapid, ang lahat ng karumihan, o kasakiman, ay huwag sanang mabanggit sa inyo, gaya ng nararapat sa mga banal.”
Gayunpaman, ito ay dapat din nating bigyan ng linaw. Hindi masamang mapansin kung ano man ang pag-aari ng iba. Pero madalas ang mga tao, pagkatapos na pansinin ang mga bagay na mayroon ang iba, tayo’y hindi nagpapasalamat sa pagpapalang binigay ng Diyos sa iba. Higit pa riyan, matapos nating mapansin ang pag-aari ng iba, tayo ay nag-uumpisang hindi magpasalamat sa mayroon tayo na nagdudulot ng pag-iimbot. Sa susunod na tanong makikita natin ang kahulugan nito.
English Version
Q.106. What is the tenth commandment?
A. The tenth commandment is,
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” Exodus 20:17 ESV
Coveting or being greedy for one’s neighbor’s possessions is a serious sin. The people of Israel were provided by God for their daily needs and they should be content with what they have. In the New Testament, we read that it is named with other serious sins that should not be seen in believers. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus (5:3 ESV), “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
However, we must also clarify this. It is not wrong to notice what others have. But often, after noticing the things that others have, we are not thankful for the blessing God has given to others. Moreover, after we notice the possessions of others, we begin to be ungrateful for what we have which leads to covetousness. In the next question, we will see its meaning.
To God be the glory!
Note: This question is #105 in the Children’s Catechism
References:
- Deyoung, K. (2018). The 10 Commandments: what they mean, why they matter, and why we should obey them. Crossway.
HERALD OF GRACE COVENANT BIBLE CHURCH OF CAVITE 