Do Not Steal
Many
years ago, Mother sent me on an errand to the neighbor’s house. No one answered
the door. Then I saw a rubber band on the porch. I picked it up and
stretched it. I had never seen a rubber band before and wondered what it
would do. I walked home playing with the rubber band.
years ago, Mother sent me on an errand to the neighbor’s house. No one answered
the door. Then I saw a rubber band on the porch. I picked it up and
stretched it. I had never seen a rubber band before and wondered what it
would do. I walked home playing with the rubber band.
Mother asked me where I picked up this new treasure. When I told her, the
neighbor’s front porch, she told me picking up the rubber band on the
neighbor’s porch is stealing. She told me to go back, return the rubber
band and express my sorrow.
I learned that day it is wrong to steal anything. No rationalization or
excuse could take away the sin of stealing. As time moved on from five
years old, I learned the act of stealing comes through many temptations.
There are no small thefts. Taking something for nothing is a temptation
that grows.
Copying answers in school, cheating on income taxes, there is no end to the
varieties of sin. Stealing is the opposite of giving. Stealing begets lie
after lie. Forgotten is the Father God who gives His Love when our mind
and heart clouds with the darkness of stealing.
Matthew 22:36-38. “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the
law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your
God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is
the first and greatest commandment.”
How many moments do we steal from praising God, sharing our life with Him,
giving thanks to Him, or neglect reading and living His Word? This is the
One who gives us breath created a beautiful world to live in. He lights
our way with the sunshine, feeds us, and gives us breath to live.
Then there is the tithe of all He has given us and we are to return to
Him. Not eight tenths, but all the ten/tenths or more.
If someone asked, what is God’s greatest gift He has given us, I would answer,
His Son, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He sent His
Son to make a way for us to be forgiven and live with Him
forever.
Our Lord God sets boundaries to live by in this world. The white picket fence
around our yard, kept us safe from intruders when we were young, so the
teachings in His Word gives us a safe place to be in this lifetime. The second
greatest commandment from our Lord is this: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.’ Verse 40 is this declaration, “The entire law and all
the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Do not steal, is the eighth
commandment. Nothing is free in this world. If it is too good to be true,
it is a lie. Think about the ten commandments, the last five are relational and
speak of how we love others. Do these condone killing others, being
disrespectful, or taking possessions belonging to others? No. Stealing a
life through kidnapping, angry words, abortion or euthanasia is stealing from
God.
commandment. Nothing is free in this world. If it is too good to be true,
it is a lie. Think about the ten commandments, the last five are relational and
speak of how we love others. Do these condone killing others, being
disrespectful, or taking possessions belonging to others? No. Stealing a
life through kidnapping, angry words, abortion or euthanasia is stealing from
God.
Governments placed into power through God’s power and can be destroyed.
Governments gaining more land, and this is stealing.
What right have I to consider the possessions of others to take? I look
around and give thanks for the things God has given me. A world to live
in, the breath to take into my lungs, and a soul to worship and adore Him,
only. Plus, a mind to voice praise and prayer without ceasing.
When God’s Son, Jesus, came to earth, He gave me everything I need in
this life and beyond. Stealing
is Taking, while Loving is Giving.
Since you have been raised to new life
with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in
the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the
things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died
to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians
3:1-3.
with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in
the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the
things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died
to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians
3:1-3.
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you
pleased.” Revelation 4:11.
Store your treasures in heaven,
where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and
steal. Wherever your treasure is,
there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 7:20-21.
where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and
steal. Wherever your treasure is,
there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 7:20-21.
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