Priority vs. Necessity

Covetous Temptation

Often, I find myself in an odd position of conflicting desires. And by odd, I do not mean that I rarely get conflicting desires, but odd in the sense that one desire seems to justify itself, all on its own, without any effort on my own part. There are many different forms of covetousness, and all of them come with a hands-free activation of justification. That is to say, they always seem to explain themselves, and make themselves seem just as good as anything else, and perhaps, even better. A covetous temptation will always make itself seem good, and in some special cases, it will make itself seem like a sin to neglect. These seems all so obviously evil on paper, but put it into action in real life, and it is something else entirely.

I Have the Time, I Have the Money, But Do I Have the Need?

This is the easily the hardest part of any temptation from the flesh: self-justification. In the modern Christian's mind, this type of temptation is actually just a mere myth. They hear of it in church, and see it in all their worldly friends, but they themselves never actually face this, because they are so righteous, and so clear-sighted, that they can spot this evil from a hundred miles away. But alas, what they do not understand is the hidden fact that they fall prey to this almost every week, if not every day.

Take, for example, technology (an example I shall use throughout this article). Technology has gotten to the point where it can do so much, it practically sells itself. Recently, there was released the iPhone 5S and 5C. The most interesting things about these two gadgets was their lack of any actually needed advancements. Users with the iPhone 4S and original 5 could download the same apps, have essentially the same 8MP camera, and worry little about their feature list, as iPhone features are practically restricted to their apps for features. The iPhone 5C is the most illogical buy for an iPhone 5 user, because it is the exact same phone, save for a new colorful plastic back (easily remedied by a case). Nothing else is worth noting, as you cannot possibly see the difference. In fact, despite bearing the same price tag, the 5 far outdoes the 5C in terms of the materials by which it is constructed. Aluminium verses plastic is an easy battle for anyone when it comes to a premium feel (especially considering the fact that Apple followers have boasted of the lack of a plastic construction for a long time). And yet, having a job at Best Buy (and in the Mobile phone department no less), I have seen many users go from an iPhone 4S and 5 to a 5C, for no other reason than the fact that it is a newer phone.

The iPhone 5S, perhaps, is a more justified conclusion, considering its more powerful processor and fingerprint scanner. In terms of the camera, only the nit-picky will notice, if even they, and the construction is identical to that of the iPhone 5, save for the new fingerprint scanner (which isn't even worth mentioning, as I have yet to see someone buy the phone based on that feature... ever).

The point of this example is to show the thinking into which people so quickly draw themselves. If one were to upgrade from the iPhone 3GS or 4, very well- it is a logical upgrade, seeing as the two new phones will easily outdo the old with ease, and will last much longer. But if one buys the iPhone 5 as soon as it comes out, and then suddenly sees a new iPhone come out only a year later, they are in quite the position. As is the norm in technology, they face the reality that they are no longer up-to-date. In fact, that title now falls apart within a few weeks of the new device launch, as the latest and greatest launch more than four times in a single year. But they see that, all of a sudden, they are lacking. They are lacking the latest thing, and that alone causes them to doubt their own condition before humanity.

And thus, based upon this, they fall into the trap of their own reasoning: "I have the money, I have the time, but do I need this new iPhone? It looks the same, runs the same, and has a feature or two that mine does not." The biggest drawback is the price tag. Without eligibility for an upgrade, the user must fork out, at the very least, 300$ or more (and that is if they can sell their old iPhone, lest the cost be 600$ and up). If they are eligible, they must still spend 200$ (not counting tax and activation fee). Is a fingerprint scanner and a processor no one normal person will notice really worth that much? And yet many have found a way to say "Yes!" to themselves. Because covetousness is no small foe.

And here we find our subject earlier mentioned, who says to themselves "I am not one of them! I only buy things I need." The greatest failure of this person is the fact that they cannot properly identify what they need. In fact, their lack of doubt on this definition of "need" proves their ignorance. Because "need" in the majority of cases is relative. It is subjective to what we think we need.

Truly, in real life, all we need based on natural functions is food, clothing, water and sleep. There isn't even room for a chair in that, much less a smartphone. And therein lies the problem. For the earthly human of the world, the word "need" is so subjective, that we draw countless conclusions based on that one word, from expensive foods to taking a nap in the middle of the day. For a person of this world, however, it makes sense, and yet, at the same time, it does not.

It makes sense, in that naturally we live by what we feel. We go out, feel hungry (a point not even close to starvation), and buy ourselves something to eat. People today buy a new computer a year after their old one is obsolete merely because it isn't considered new. They need to be fulfilled by feeling that they are secure in their choices, and with the ever-changing markets, people are buying now more than ever. But is the word "need" really that subjective? And how ought the Christian to define and understand this word?

Usefulness Verses Novelty

What is useful in our daily lives? Toothbrush, water, books to learn, news to see, and things to write. Many different things are actually useful in our daily lives, and to such an extent that we use them without even thinking about it. A solider in combat knows the usefulness of his weapon, and would never trade up a useful weapon for a novel, and yet nonfunctional one. And yet today, people will happily trade up an iPhone for another iPhone for only the reason of novelty. "Oh, but I would use that fingerprint scanner!" they might say, if that. But if they are in the least bit honest with themselves, they would probably never use it but for the sake of impressing onlookers.

Covetousness is the most important tool for a true salesman, and the key "pitch" in a sale is to make the person think they need whatever it is you are trying to sell them. Which is why they push themselves so hard to make sure they understand how people might use these things.

There are certainly usable things in technology. The ability to set an appointment or write a note within seconds, without having to hunt down a pen and paper, is a very useful thing. I am using a laptop right now, which I have more use for than even my smartphone. It is both more functional and practical for typing things like this note up right now. I could go out and use my smartphone for this, and it would be far more portable than my own laptop. People would be impressed that I could do all this on my phone, but lo and behold, it would take so much more effort, I would probably give up not long after starting. It is a novel thought, but it is neither practical nor as functional in any way.

Coveting More Than the Practical

Often, when we think of coveting, we think of getting things and places we don't have. That is, a new phone, TV, home or car. Big things. But coveting can find itself in more than just these, especially in the goal of success.

I recently finished a series of classes on how to sell. Due to my vocation, we are all required to drive out to a specific location and spend four days learning about different techniques that we should use when working at Best Buy. And I saw a common theme throughout this training, that being the need for success. And based on what I heard, both from there and other places and people, success (as defined by the world) is obtaining that thing you don't have. That new gadget, that new job, that raise or that promotion you always thought you deserved. The thing about it is you always need the next best thing- the "grass is always greener" mentality. And now, the world doesn't even try to hide that. They say that we are always to occupy ourselves with reaching that next thing we don't have. The most successful people are the ones who managed to do that while having the most fun, or working the hardest. But no matter how you do it, if you reach each goal you strive for, you are successful.

The church has taken on the same idea, growing without hesitation in the "prosperity gospel" in which the victim is only blessed by God through their own hard work and passion. The idea remains the same: "Have faith in God, and you'll get the thing you want." Another way to that success.

And so it goes on. People reach for this promotion, that new job, and at the end of their lives, all they've done is gone for the next best thing. But they have never really had something very important. Something so simple, and yet so complex. Contentment. They have never come across that contentment with what God has given. And that is partly due to the fact that they think they won themselves these things. God never helped them unless they asked for it, as far as they are concerned. It was their hard work and passion that got them where they are, and God (if he ever is within their mind) was merely an encourager to them to push harder.

Contentment and Faith-Based Living

This is something I am sure many think they've heard countless times. But they never actually know it. They find contentment being a position they'll be in one day. The result of obtaining that one thing they don't have. Successful people, as far as the world is concerned, are never content with what they have.

But God did not call us to be successful. As hard as that pill may be to swallow for some, it is the reality. We are not called to be successful, but faithful servants to Him who is over all. We may strive for this goal, or that new thing, but it must never be done out of coveting. A faithful farmer may seek for a better tool, not so he can make his garden the biggest and grandest there ever was, but to complete his job better and more efficiently. If a slave was striving to become his master, he is not a slave, but a rebel in the making. We are all salves of something. Most are slaves to sin. They use covetousness to gain as many tools as they can to sin. As far as they're concerned, they are the most successful people in the world. They, on their own, have defined their own morals, or taken from those who defined their own morals, and now live a prosperous life because of their effort, neglecting the Source of all that they breath and eat. Their arrogance is unmatched, and in all that God gives them, they squander it in self-righteousness, by giving it all away for the sake of their conscience, which bears witness against them that God is righteous. I am a slave of Christ, not striving to become the most successful in the world, but the most profitable slave to my Master and King. There is a huge difference in that effort, and such a canyon between the two motives that drive those of the world, and those of Christ.

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all,keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 4:7-11