Pinning and Coveting

I love Pinterest. Let me just get that out in the open before you think I’m hating on the pins! I love how my followers will pin a handful of wonderfully delicious (and fattening!) recipes, followed by a handful of workout routines – so ironic 🙂 I have this odd fascination of looking at random stranger’s weddings, pinning their great ideas to my “Tying the Knot” board. Been slowly tackling my “DIY” board. I often will often bust a gut laughing at my “Quotes and Quips” pins.

As you  can tell, my routine is nailed.

During my usual pinning last night, I was suddenly struck by how harmful this helpful little tool can be. All the dresses and shoes and homes that can be yours with the click of a mouse breed discontentment. The more you electronically collect other people’s stuff, the more you will become increasingly dissatisfied with your own things. Take a thoughtful look at some pinned comments (even mine, I’m sad to say):

“I NEED this in my house!”
“Ooooo so pretty! Wish I had one!”
“[Insert description of item pictured above] WANT!”

What do all of those phrases, and others like them, have in common? Covetousness.

Think back to your flannel graph Sunday School days. Most are familiar with the Ten Commandments. To jog your memory, Exodus 20:17 reads, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (ESV) ANYTHING that is your neighbors, including their virtual wonderland of domestic delight and flair.

The deeper issue at play here is the implication of coveting. This post is not a call for you to live a moral life, per say. I could care less if you pick a list of rules, maybe even the Ten Commandments, and commit yourself to living by them. When we covet, we totally disrespect God. Wishing you had someone’s something-or-another says to the Creator of the world, “You made a mistake. I wanted that iPhone case, that bedroom suite, that chef’s dream kitchen, that designer swimsuit instead of what you gave me.” Did you hear yourself? You questioned God’s sovereignty and accused him of failing to provide for your needs.

The Bible tells us how detrimental not being satisfied with what God has granted can be. “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2 ESV)

Our issue is attempting to place ourselves above the Lord. Don’t rob God of His glory. He totally provides, loves, and cares for you. He has given you exactly what you have to fulfill His purposes. Be satisfied in Him and you will be totally satisfied beyond all reason.