Hello mi neighbour | How covetousness destroys contentment

Why do some people who have little or nothing tend to dislike those who seem to have a little more? Covetousness.

Why do some countries wage wars against other countries? More often than not, it is covetousness.

Covetousness is a strong, unhealthy desire to possess things that belong to others. Do you wish to have something, or someone, that belongs to another? I would hope not. Covetousness is powered by an evil spirit. This spirit has been wreaking havoc in our world since the dawn of creation. Cain killed Abel. Once that spirit of covetousness takes root in your life, you are in big trouble. Left unchecked, it can drive you to do crazy things in an effort to possess another person’s property. Be careful how you focus on what belongs to others.

Many countries fight wars because their leaders believe that victory will bring greater power and security. While some wars are fought for freedom or self-defence, the real motive behind many conflicts often involves control of land, valuable resources, regional dominance or a leader’s ego. Covetousness drives larger countries to seek control of the land, oil, water or trade routes of smaller nations, often for the sole purpose of making themselves richer. Take note of the wars being fought around the world today. Covetousness. Are we on the brink of a world war?

Coupled with greed, covetousness creates a constant and unquenchable hunger for more. It corrupts human morals, fractures relationships, and robs individuals of inner peace by replacing gratitude with perpetual discontent. It constantly drives people to compare themselves with others, destroying appreciation for what they already possess.

Not to mention the mental turmoil that covetousness can cause. While medical science does not directly classify covetousness as a mental disorder, it is something to guard against.

Greed and covetousness trap the human heart in a cycle of endless wanting, while contentment and gratitude offer a path to inner peace. Greed tells us that our worth depends on what we own. Covetousness makes us look at others with envy. Both habits create a hunger that food cannot satisfy.

Psychologists call this the “hedonic treadmill”. We chase new things, experience a brief high, and then return to our previous level of desire. Contentment breaks this cycle. It takes conscious effort to say that what we have right now is enough.

Covetousness treats the world as a prize to be conquered rather than a gift to be shared. Gratitude, on the other hand, turns what we have into enough. It changes how we view our daily lives. Gratitude means pausing to appreciate ordinary moments: a glass of soursop juice, a kind word or a quiet afternoon with your spouse. What a source of joy the combination of these simple pleasures can become.

Do not allow covetousness to trick you into making foolish choices.

The couple, *Winston and *Joy, lived in a small, cosy home. They were frugal, lived on a tight budget, and were happy. They cleaned together, cooked together, prayed together and played together. These simple activities meant more to them than material possessions.

Then Winston visited his wealthy co-worker’s new mansion. The visit left him depressed and yearning for a house just like it. Almost overnight, his attitude changed. He worked longer hours, spent less time with *Joy, who was five months pregnant, and had little or no time for prayer, recreation or family life. He became increasingly preoccupied with what he did not have.

This obsession led him down a new path, one that gradually left his little family behind. His wife sensed the growing distance and became resentful and lonely. As the covetousness deepened, *Winston alienated his co-worker, stopped listening to his wife’s opinions and plunged himself into debt in a desperate attempt to match his co-worker’s lifestyle.

As an unfortunate but natural progression, the home began to feel like a prison, and *Joy yearned for freedom.

When you pray for them, also pray that you do not fall into the same trap.

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods.”

Covetousness leads only to unhappiness.

Of course, there is the concept of positive covetousness, but that is another matter.

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR FROM THE LIST BELOW:

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636/876 884-3866 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 at NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10;Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Mr Silton Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.