So, there is a connection by nature that man shows a liking, an attachment, to what is pleasing to him/her.
e. g. A longing for tasty and appetizing food.
A longing for fine clothes.
Likes to live in a spacious and comfortable house.
Likes to own a luxury vehicle.
Because of this attachment, liking and willingness, man wants to own certain things. Sometimes one wants and shows a longing to have even what belongs to others. They can even have a longing to possess these things, to envy others. Coveting others' goods is against the tenth commandment. If these envious thoughts draw one to steal, it is against the seventh commandment. The seventh commandment forbids one to steal. The tenth commandment forbids covetousness which draws one to steal. This is also a sin.
The indigenous Red Indians of America showed the leaders of America how envying others' land can be wrong. Seattle in his speech showed how covetousness is against the seventh and the tenth commandments.
So, one must be happy with what one has and not covet the goods of others. The Catholic Catechism tells us this:
The tenth commandment teaches us to be content with what we have. It forbids us to unjustly own others' goods, to keep such goods, to have a desire or to be jealous of others' possessions. It also forbids us to be jealous of the success of others. A man who lives in a hut sees the luxurious mansion just in front of his home. He is not jealous of him. He does not envy him. He rejoices in their good fortune. Such a man is a true noble human.
But, getting what belongs to others by just means is not forbidden by this commandment. (CCC 2537) For example, Buying a television set from the shop.
The first thought that incites a person to sin, is envy. The prophet Micah shows us how this envious thought can turn into action and how it can alienate us from God, from our neighbour and from our brother.
The universe is God's creation. God is the owner of His creation. The catechelism of the Catholic church teaches us that we must be aware of this fact and live in an attitude of detachment.
Jealousy is a sin. It is born when we begin to covet others' goods. It brings in us sadness and regret. But if we live content with what we have we will be happy.
We have received all from God. We cannot live in this world forever. So, in the short time that we spend on this earth, let us live thanking and praising God for all He has given us. This commmandment teaches us this.
We have to be aware as children of God that we must commit ourselves and take the responsibility to safeguard the property of others.
What we must do to live the tenth commandment:
Be content with what you have.
Do not try to own others' goods.
In buying and selling, be just.
Work honestly for the wages you receive.
You must return what you have borrowed from others.
When you find something that belongs to another, return it to the owner.
When others do well and succeed, do not be jealous of them, but rejoice with them.
