Derek, I believe that the reason this is one of the Ten Commandments (thou shalt not covet) is that envy plants the seeds of self-destruction and the destruction of others. Envy is the root of murder, stealing, infidelity, violence, and so much more. When you live a life desiring what others have you can never be at peace or be happy. Envy is a very serious spiritual situation. You are given your life to live with your own purpose. It is illogical to envy what others have because if it was destined to be yours it would be. Most individuals with envy are living in a kind of hell, with the delusion that if they only had what another person had — beautiful spouse, great job, new car, children, or a big house — they would be happy. True happiness is never found in what someone else has. True happiness is acquired when you live from the inside out, not from the outside in.