A man in the city of Lucknow, ordered an Apple iPhone using the Cash on Delivery option from an e-commerce website. When the delivery agent came to deliver the phone, he killed him, put him in a sack and threw him in a canal. The stolen phone was about 150000 rupees (USD 2000). (The Hindustan Times, 1 October 2024) He violated at least four of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:1-21)
You shall not covet: Desiring what a person does not deserve or longing for something that is not reachable is covetousness. Trying to possess or enjoy something that is someone else’s property is a violation of law. Advertisements in social media stir the hearts of desire and aspiration to own fancy gadgets. A Christian should guard his/her heart from evil desires or covetousness.
You shall not lie: The man’s intention was not to pay for the product but to own the product by killing the delivery agent. It was premeditated, and planned murder. He knew he could not afford or pay for the phone but deceived the e-commerce merchants by telling lies.
You shall not steal: When the delivery man came to deliver the phone, he received it, without paying for it. Instead of paying him money, he indulged in violence. With his friend, he stole the product and killed the man.
You shall not murder: The Ten Commandments teach that the life of a person is sacred in God’s sight. God is the giver and taker of life. No human has such an authority.
Distorted values: The man believed that an iPhone was more valuable than a human – the delivery man. He loved a gadget, but hated the man, instead of loving humans and using gadgets. The Apple iPhone became his god and was willing to give a human sacrifice to obtain it.
Satan’s intention: Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) Like Satan this man laid a trap for the delivery man and killed him. He neither knew him nor had enmity with him, yet killed him.
Do I guard my heart against covetousness?