Book Review: The Envy of Eve

The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World was written by Melissa B. Kruger. The book, geared for women, takes a closer look at the sin of coveting, one that I believe is often overlooked and misunderstood.

Coveting, like all sin, keeps us from truly loving God and our neighbors. With personal stories and biblical examples, the book describes what coveting is, the root of the problem, and how to overcome it in Christ. Several chapters are devoted to looking at different types of coveting as well as specific examples of coveting from the Scriptures. The book also includes questions for the reader to reflect on personally or discuss with a group.

As part of this blog tour, reviewers had the opportunity to ask the author a question related to the book. Below is my question to the author and her response.

Q:  Recently, we have been teaching the children at my church about the Ten Commandments. The children were not familiar with the term "covet." Do you have any suggestions on how best to explain this concept to children? 

A:  I love this question. I find that when I can explain something to a child, then I really understand it myself! I teach Children’s Church and usually find it easiest to teach using visual aids and asking questions. So, my lesson on coveting would probably go something like this:   

• Good morning children! I want to ask you to help me. I am going to pass out different flavored lollipops (or markers, pieces of colorful paper, or musical instruments if you didn’t want to use candy) to everyone in the class. Hold them in your hand and wait until everyone gets one.   
• Can someone show me what it looks like to whine and complain about the lollipop they received? (Usually, the children will have fun with this one!)  
• Now, can someone show me what it looks like to be content or happy with the lollipop they received? (Hopefully, they will say something like “thank you” as an example of contentment.)  
• Well, I want to teach you a new word today. Please repeat after me: COVET  
• Children, when we covet, we whine and complain about what we have and want what someone else has. Can everyone show me what a whiney face would look like again? Can everyone show me what a content face would look like?  
• And then I would tell the story of Achan in Joshua 7 as an example of someone in the Bible who coveted. At the end I would review the word and the definition.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Christian Focus Publications as part of The Envy of Eve blog tour.