Q80. What does the tenth commandment require?
The tenth commandment requires us to be fully content with what we have, and to be happy for our neighbor and glad about what he has.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
1 Timothy 6:6
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Job 31:29
“If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:”
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
1 Timothy 1:5
“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”
1 Corinthians 13:4–7
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the tenth commandment require us to feel about what we have and what others have?
- 2
Why is it sometimes hard to be happy when a friend gets something you wanted?
- 3
What helps you feel content when you do not have what someone else has?
Illustration
When your sibling gets a new book and you do not, contentment is being glad for them and still thankful for the books you already have. It does not mean you can never want anything. It means your happiness is not stolen by what someone else receives.
Application
Because God promises to give you everything you need, practice being glad for someone else this week. When a classmate or sibling gets something good, say out loud, "That is great for you." Ask God to make that gladness real inside your heart.