Welcome!
Today: Thou shall not steal!
Passage: Eph 4
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (Eph 4, NIV)-emphasis added
9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”
(2 Thess 3, NIV)
The word of God is powerful. It is also sharp. It cuts way down!
The Bible encourages work. It says, “The one who does not work, must not eat”.
It doesn’t matter what your job is; you must be working
If you are unemployed, or if you are a student on a school vacation, there are still lot of things you can do, instead of being idle (and be an “American idle”)
The principles of God’s word work, and they are true
The idlest people in the world are probably some of those who call themselves “ministers” of God. Not all are doing the same, but there are a good number of them who “sleep six days and then, on the seventh day/1st day of the week, kill other’s sleep!”
God does not give a “waiver” to anybody. God’s servants should spent enough time with God at least, which many don’t do; and there are enough problems in the Church and everywhere else just because of that!
When it comes to “stealing”, most of us say, “I never steal”
Don’t we steal our God-given time?
When we waste our (God-given) time doing “nothing”, we are stealing the time God has given us, using it for something else
God has given us time, money, health, beauty, talents etc., to use it for God’s glory
When we don’t do that, we are stealing what God has given us
Just like a “thief” steals one person’s money and puts it into his pocket, we take the time and talents God gave us and put it into another “pocket” or place, not doing what is intended to be done with that thing
Our children are God’s gift. We need to cry and pray for them. Without much prayer, we can’t get them where God wants them to
When we use our time appropriately, we will have time, money and talents to share with others. It is not only money, but many people need our time; they need someone to pray with them. Our talents like singing, writing can bless others
We are to be faithful stewards of all that God has given us.
If we steal our employer’s time by sitting idle or talking to others, beware!
Let us not steal! Let us not owe anything to anybody, except to God
God bless us!
BG
Lord Jesus, you spoke to me. Help me not to steal or misappropriate anything you have given me. Help me to use all that you have given me, for your glory and for the benefit of others, Amen.