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We Shall Not Be Covetous, February 28
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his
ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Exodus 20:17
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The last commandment condemns covetousness. Every selfish desire,
every degree of discontent, every act of overreaching, every selfish grati-
fication works to the strengthening and developing of a character which
will destroy the Christlikeness of the human agent, and close the gates of
the city of God against him
When ... angels come to minister to those who shall be heirs of
salvation, and witness the exhibition of selfishness, of covetousness, of
overreaching, and benefiting self at others’ disadvantage, they turn away
in grief.... In no way could the Lord be better glorified and the truth more
highly honored, than for unbelievers to see that the truth has wrought a
great and good work upon the lives of naturally covetous and penurious
men. If it could be seen that the faith of such had an influence to mold
their characters, to change them from close, selfish, overreaching, money-
loving men, to men who love to do good, who seek opportunities to use
their means to bless those who need to be blessed, who visit the widow
and fatherless in their affliction, and who keep themselves unspotted from
the world, it would be an evidence that their religion was genuine.... Those
who profess to be waiting and watching for the appearing of their Lord
should not disgrace their profession by bantering in deal and standing for
the last penny. Such fruit does not grow upon the Christian tree
The tenth commandment strikes at the very root of all sins, prohibiting
the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act. He who in obedience
to God’s law refrains from indulging even a sinful desire for that which
belongs to another, will not be guilty of an act of wrong toward his fellow-
creatures
[66]
84
Letter 15, 1895
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85
Testimonies For The Church 2:238, 239
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86
Patriarchs and Prophets, 309
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65