EXODUS 20:15 ~ You Shall NOT Steal ~ God is Watching!

Welcome! Please come in and get comfortable. A new measure of manna is set before us today!

At first, the 8th Commandment seems to be clear cut, easy, simple to obey .... and it is beautiful in its simplicity. As we take a closer look, may the Holy Spirit enrich our knowledge our understanding and draw us closer to God.

The Eighth (8th) Commandment ~Exodus 20:15 ~ "You shall NOT steal."

Portions of this manna seem to taste very familiar. Some of the flavors are obvious, others are quite subtle. Some you have to savor awhile, to discern the full flavor. There are yet more that you may never have even noticed before.

OK, let's dig in. I'm going to just spread out my first thoughts here ... no particular order ... sort of banquet style.

What ways can/do we steal?

IRS: taxes, deductions, credits, write offs, exemptions?
Jobs: long lunches, breaks, going home early, coming in late, pencils, pens, paperclips?
calling in sick when healthy?
Employers: cheat employees of hours, pay, breaks, lunches? recognition, retirement?
Companies: too much profit, interest, sneaky tactics
Internet: how about unauthorized downloading of pictures, articles? movies, music?
Stealing someone's thunder? ideas? reputation? answers (cheating)? words (plagerism)?

Passive theft: Not tithing? Too much change ~ not charged or undercharged for an item?
Borrow and not return OR haven't asked permission? "Borrowing" change from kids' piggybanks?

Stealing from future generations: Wasting of/polluting natural resources? Removing flora or fauna from a National Park or other public natural space?

Withholding any of the spiritual gifts you've been given? Isn't this robbing the Lord's Body? Embezzeling God's resources? ... YIKES... this one is really sneaky! We can actually embezzle God's gifts and misuse them???!!! Oh dear! I had never thought of this aspect before. Ouch!
Note to self: Dig further here.

Poaching, hunting, fishing ... without a license?
Lying about your age or your children's to get a discount?
Stealing time? attention? ..............................fill in the blank.

We haven't even mentioned the more obvious crimes: thieving, burglary, robbery ...
Or probably the most despicable of all: Stealing people/kidnapping, children, women, men.

It is a slippery slope, as they say, when someone choses to not respect the division between what God has given to them and what belongs to someone else.

Photo courtesy, Harper's Weekly, January 16, 1892

Train robbery was not a Federal offense unless the robbers stole U.S. Mail, which most did. (I must confess: I threw in this fact, because I work for the Postal Service.) Did you know that stealing mail is still a Federal offense ... whether it belongs to your family, spouse or anyone else?

A thief is a thief, to God - whether they took a bobby pin or robbed a bank or train!

Stealing almost always begins with lust and covetousness. Theft is a totally self-centered crime: I want this, I need this more than you ... I don't care if you worked/saved for it ... I don't care if someone gave it to you ... I don't care if taking this is illegal ... or immoral ... I only care about me and getting what I want.

Then the sin of rebellion takes over ... we all know that it is wrong to take something that is not ours. But, when we steal, we chose to disregard the laws ... God's and man's.

When we want something so badly, that we justify our "right" to have it; we have crossed the line!

When the heart desires anything that much, other than GOD ... then we break other commandments as well ... we commit other damaging sins.

Oh there is so much that could be covered here. Way too much for this little blog!

Bottom line:“the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it.” ~ Psalms 24:1

Whatever we take for ourselves, we are stealing from the LORD!!! Our awesome and gracious GOD will freely give to us the desires of our heart (Ps 34:7) ... we never need to steal from Him!

Just look at Jesus' hands ... He loves you, He cares about you, He will do what's best for you ... guaranteed!

This child's point of view sums it up! Click here for practical advice ... not just for kids!

PS: Here are some good questions for discussion (created by Teen Bible Study Committee Volunteers) : http://www.ucg.org/teenstudy/8thcommandment.htm

May God bless you and keep you until we meet again!

Oh, Blessed Father, Precious Redeemer.

Thank You so much for Your commandments.

Thank You for Your constant care!
Your love is so profoundly greater than ours.

When we foolishly break Your laws,

You draw us safely back,

You forgive us, clean us up,

and still delight to give us the desires of our hearts.
Lord, we desire to bless Your heart!

Grant us an abiding faith and trust in You.

Make us aware, if we are

stealing from You, in any way whatsoever.

Stop us in our tracks, that we steal no more!

And Lord, when there seems to be no way,

turn us to ask You, the Way-Maker.

Our joy is in pleasing You.

Teach us to be holy,

as You are holy!

In Jesus' Name we pray

and thank You.

Amen.

I am blessed every day
with some new revelation of God's Word.
I will be sharing my measure of manna

with all who come to my "tent."
Please, let me know if you have been blessed
by the way it was prepared for you this day.
~Shalom~
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