God taught his children to work hard and expect the benefit of the work. So when the 10^th commandment tells us not to covet what our neighbor has (including his wife) it is encouraging us to enjoy the fruit of our labor. Coveting can lead to theft but more often it leads to a dissatisfied life. Sometimes people become obsessed with what they don’t posses and what others do. Coveting. Then they tend to conclude their life is unfair and they got a raw deal. This turns them in to victims (or slaves…remember Egypt?) rather than free individuals taking life by the reigns and improving their own life.

Whenever people waste their energy desiring other people’s possessions (or spouse) they have less energy left to take advantage of what is presently available to them. They miss the work, opportunities and blessings right in front of them. We find this Biblical perspective in Ecclesiastes:

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.   Ecclesiastes 2:24

The Bible teaches us to enjoy the fruit of our labor and its related prosperity. Don’t covet our neighbor’s stuff. If our neighbor has more possessions than we do perhaps we should go learn from them how they do things. Perhaps they have a wisdom or work ethic we do not. It might help our finances. You will have the greatest blessings when you enjoy what you have worked for with your family and friends.

Be the best person on your job…even if it is minimum wage. Be early and stay late. Talking excitedly about work creates passion for work. This is something practical you can do. Embarrassment about work causes shame and decreased passion and success. Be proud of and let people know what you do. Be proud of how you earn you living. Say how it helps other people in life. The early Hebrews proudly declared what they did. Many times their names reflected it. Wasserman brought water. People want to know how you help other people.