Deuteronomy 19:14
“You shall not move your neighbor’s boundary mark, which the ancestors have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.”
This was in a time before the use of fences or boundaries that were more permanent. People would mark the end of their property with stones or posts. They were easily moved.
Moses is referring to moving the stones in a dishonest way and stealing land from one’s neighbor. Proverbs 23:10 says, “Do not move the ancient boundary or go into the fields of the fatherless.” This is stealing at a different level. It’s stealing from the helpless.
This is breaking a couple commands, “Do not steal and do not covet your neighbor’s” goods. Coveting precedes the action of theft. It’s when we begin to think longingly about items belonging to our neighbor. The sin begins in our mind.
God wants our minds to be pure. We aren’t to think about forbidden things. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” We aren’t to let our minds wander. We can tell if our thoughts prompt us towards sinful behavior. Don’t go there. Pray, change the subject, call a friend or engage in an activity to get our minds in a better place.
Today’s passage speaks of our inheritance. We’ve got something. Jesus’ parable of the sower speak of how He gives us all particular amounts. We need to be content with what we’ve got. Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6 “Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.” Trust that what we’ve got is what God intends for us to have. We can pray and try for more. We may get it, we may not. In either case, be content. Don’t obsess of getting more. Be content.
Lord, thank You that You’ve given us enough. Help us to be content.