What is forbidden by the words about the neighbor’s house and goods: and what positive duties are prescribed by the Tenth Commandment?
By the words ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house… nor anything that is his’ are forbidden all thoughts of avarice and ambition (Luk 12:15; see Q486, Q490). The corresponding positive duties are, first, to keep purity of heart, and secondly, to be content with our lot: “Be free from the love of money and be satisfied with what you have. As God has said: I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you” (Heb 13:5; see Q486, Q532). For the cleansing of the heart, one thing is indispensable: the frequent and earnest invocation of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”, for, as the ascetic Fathers teach, watchfulness joined to the ceaseless calling upon Jesus Christ scatters evil thoughts at their first assault, as the sun scatters darkness (cf. St Hesychios the Priest, On Watchfulness and Holiness [Philokalia]).
