The Ten Commandments
Q17. What is the Ninth Commandment?
You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Exodus 20:17
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the Ninth Commandment say you should not covet?
- 2
What is the difference between wanting something and coveting it?
- 3
Have you ever wanted what a friend had so badly that it changed how you felt about them?
Illustration
A boy walks into his friend's house and sees a bigger room, nicer toys, and a newer bike. He goes home and suddenly his own room feels small, his toys feel old, and his bike feels slow. Nothing at his house actually changed. But coveting changed how he saw everything he had. It turned gratitude into bitterness.
Application
When you visit a friend's house this week or see something someone else has, name three things God has given you and thank him for them. Ask God to protect your heart from wanting what belongs to others.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)