Many Ways to Steal

“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold.” Proverbs 6:30-31a (NKJV) A supermarket manager rigs his scales to make customers’ purchases appear to weigh more in order to overcharge them. God calls this “an abomination.” Some otherwise honest folks boast about cheating on their taxes by inflating their tax deductions: “Hey, we’re only working-class bums. Billionaires pay no taxes, so I hear.” But what does Scripture say about paying taxes? When the temple tax collectors come to Jesus, He honors their request and directs the apostle Peter to go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the first fish. Inside its mouth will be a coin with which Peter is to pay the taxes for them both (Matthew 17:27). Max, a little boy whose grandma has little money, gives him and his brother 10 pennies whenever they visit. The first 10 pennies go to older brother, Sam. Then Grandma counts what is meant to be 10 for Max. But Max notices there are nine pennies and a dime. “Grandma, you gave me too much,” he says. “Thank you, son!” she says, and corrects the overpayment. On their way to the store, Sam grumbles, “You should have kept that dime!” Max shrugs, “Grandma might have needed it more.” Which boy is more likely to grow up to be an honest person? Margo wants money to see a movie. She steals the cash from her mother’s purse. Is it okay to steal from your parents? What does the fifth Commandment say? Stealing also includes: kidnapping, taking an innocent person’s life, gossip (which is stealing another’s reputation), taking any property belonging to another, cheating a worker of his/her wages. How many more ways can you think of? Father God, strengthen us to follow Your Word in times of our temptation. In Jesus’ name, Amen. – Kiki BelMonte-Schaller   Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website. Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org