Let's face it--coveting is great fuel for the economy. When having more stuff is our highest goal, we get a society where everyone is working and advertising and buying and selling at a frantic pace. As a result, most people end up having more stuff. If stuff is our greatest love and our motto is "It's the economy, stupid!", then coveting seems fine.

But if we love God and love other people, coveting is out. Coveting may grow the economy, but it wrecks relationships. When we covet, we want what our neighbor has, instead of loving him for who he is. We resent God for not giving us what we want, instead of rejoicing in the gift of his Son and the other gifts he gives us. In coveting we love things and use people; in contentment we love people and use things. In coveting we're grumpy at God; in contentment we're grateful to God.