Enough's Enough

I am a consumer. I am an avid collector of stuff. I have a set of shelves full of 1:18 scale model cars, and another with 1:64 scale model cars. I have shelves of Shelias, plate racks with Chuck Ren Mystic Warrior plates on display, a china cupboard with glasses and knick-knacks, and a nearly full CD cabinet. I have so many DVDs I can't possibly watch them all over a weekend. And now that I have a pair of wonderful twins to watch grow and play, I have no time to watch the DVDs at all. As a result, I have a number of them that remain wrapped in plastic. What is it with me? Why am I such a collector?

Because I am human, and prone to error. In this case, I love to look at things. If I see something, and I really want it, I usually will get it if I can afford it. And when I say afford it, I mean it is within reason. I want a Ford GT, but it is not within reason. Still, I like looking at it, and thus comes the sinning. I covet. I see things, and I want them for my own. It is such a simple thing, it couldn't possibly amount to a big sin, but as far as I know, the 10 commandments were not prioritized in order of their severity. It is just a list. So coveting your neighbor's belongings ranks right up there with boinking his wife! And you shouldn't do either! And if you do, "Woe unto you, Oh Israel!"

Of course, there is a safety latch built into Christianity. Just ask forgiveness. It is really that simple. It doesn't lessen the guilt over longing for your neighbor's belongings, or his wife for that matter, but it does soften the blow of commiting sin. In order to be forgiven for your transgressions, all you have to do is ask.