"The Elastic Commandment"

 

“The Elastic Commandment”

 

In Article I Section 8 of the United States Constitution 18 powers and responsibilities are given to Congress. The final, all-inclusive one reads, “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or any Department or Officer thereof.” My high school American History teacher called this “the elastic clause” because it could be stretched to address matters not covered in the previous 17 statements. Our founding fathers undoubtedly knew they couldn’t anticipate every future situation so were wise to include it.

When God gave The Ten Commandments to the Israelites through Moses (Exodus 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5) in His infinite wisdom He included “an elastic commandment” at the end: “You shall not covet….” (Exodus 20:17). The Hebrew word comes from a root meaning strongly desire. Some biblical teachers (and I concur) believe it’s the basis for the other nine commands in that each of them expresses or suggests something we want, making it in effect “an elastic command” since it enumerates six things then concludes with “or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, emphasis added). Someone has observed that “Coveteousness is a black hole that will never be satisfied.” (I’ve been unable to find the source of this quote.) Sad but undoubtedly true.

Our family lore includes an incident in which Karen’s grandfather admired a mantle clock in a funeral home and “circumvented” the tenth commandment by saying, “I wish I had that clock. And I wish he had one twice as good!” He was a godly man with a great sense of humor so of course this was said in jest. But Grandpa took God’s Word seriously and sought to practice it in his life. Would that all of us would do likewise!

Jesus appears to have recognized the elasticity of this command when He said, “Take heed and beware of coveteousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things (possessed).” (Luke 12:15. NLT). (In other translations “greed” is used instead of “coveteousness.”) Paul expressed the danger of ignoring this warning when he wrote, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). But he gave the antidote in Verse 6: “…Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (Emphasis added), something he’d previously experienced himself (“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”—Philippians 4:11).

The “elastic commandment” covers more than meets the eye—it impacts every area of our lives. Will I (you) take it seriously?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan