Heart of a Thief

"You Shall Not Steal."

Exodus 20:15

A display of candy beckoned the little girl.  From where she stood with her mom in the grocery checkout line, there was nothing but colorful packages containing the sweet goodness she craved as far as her eye could see.  Her stomach growled, saliva began to form in her mouth and her tongue could virtually taste the creamy treat.  She knew her favorite, and when she spotted it, she quickly grabbed it and stuck it in her pocket.

If you're like me, you probably haven't stolen anything since that day so long ago when you snatched the candy bar at the local grocery store.  Still, there is more to this commandment than just warning against shoplifting or robbery.  As is to be expected when it comes to God, it has more to do with my heart than with the actions that follow.

Tithing

There is much debate about whether the Old Testament command to give the first ten percent back to God still applies to believers today.  Even though Jesus didn't talk specifically about tithing, He did address the importance of giving without the expectation of getting any recognition from it (Matthew 5:1-4) and Paul encouraged generosity and discipline when it comes to our giving. (2 Corinthians 9:6-15, 1 Corinthians 16:2) In other words, a heart inclined toward God that is being transformed by the work of His hand will be known as generous and humble, willing to give freely on a regular basis.

Jesus did not come to do away with all the commands that were laid down in the Old Testament.  Instead, He came to fulfill them.  (Matthew 5:17-20)  Therefore, I would be wise not to simply throw out God's instruction to give 10% to the church, but rather to use that as a bare minimum and desire to give even more.  As Jesus taught, the practice of tithing has more to do with my faith than with anything else.  If I trust God, I will do as the poor widow did and give God all I have with the belief that He will provide for my needs. (Luke 21:1-4)  In her desire to obey God's command to tithe, this wise woman went above and beyond by giving what little she possessed, knowing her Father would take care of her needs.

I must, then, take on this same heart attitude and desire to give God what belongs to Him; the first ten percent of what He provides for me.  Even more, though, to cooperate with His transforming work as He develops in me a generous spirit.  Instead of hanging on to what I have to provide for my own needs, then, I will begin to see the needs of those around me and be a part of what God is doing to provide for their necessities.

When I fear for my own welfare and, as a result, withhold what rightfully belongs to the Lord, I am stealing from Him.  (Malachi 3:8-12)  Instead of trying to justify my actions with the thought that God no longer requires tithing, I can realize the God who never changes has called me to be generous with the resources He has given to me.  He is pleased with my desire to take His commands to heart, even though it is not necessary for my salvation.  Instead, I do what He says because I understand His heart and agree with His principles for living a life that glorifies Him.

I may be guilty of breaking the eighth commandment if I fail to give Him at least ten percent of my income.

Intangible

I spent hours working on the article.  To make sure the right message went out, I painstakingly chose my words, weaving them together into a masterful tapestry.  It did my heart good, then, to reap the reward of seeing that work of my hand published in a magazine for many to read.  

Imagine my disappointment to later find that a blogger had used the idea revealed in my article to craft his own piece.  Instead of giving credit to the source, he simply took what God had inspired me to write and called it his own.

In this day and age, technology makes it easy to steal another's hard work.  I can copy music or movies in order to avoid having to pay full price for it.  The temptation to simply take what is so easily accessible is great.  When I remember, however, that the artist or creator worked hard to generate that piece of music, or craft a story through film, or construct a tale that takes me to another place, I will understand that I am taking what does not belong to me.  

When God commands me not to steal, He is more concerned with the way I respect the property of others than with giving me another rule to follow.  Therefore, I would be wise to see the art generated by others as property and not something that is free for the taking.  I honor God when I respect the work that is generated by the creative spirit of another.

I may be guilty of breaking the eighth commandment when I take anything that doesn't belong to me, even if it is not a tangible item.

Profit

She shops for the best deal, sometimes taking days to make a simple purchase.  Once she finds what she is looking for, she fights for the best price, bargaining hard with the merchant.  She has even been known to take advantage of specials on cable services, only to cancel the subscription later after watching what she wanted to see.  This woman definitely knows how to get the most out of her money.

When God gives me resources, it is His desire that I use them to bring glory to His name. (Colossians 3:17)  Sometimes, being a good steward means that I pay the lowest price possible, but other times it may mean that I use my income to provide a means of support for another.  If my only focus is on saving my own money, I can be guilty of stealing the profit of a business owner.  When I don't pay a fair price, I may be taking out of another's income.

Therefore, I must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit, knowing the difference between when I'm hearing only my desire to preserve my own income from when He is leading me to be generous in my business dealings.  

Even if I think a price is inflated, then, I can pay what is being asked, knowing that God is leading me to benefit another.  Or if my money is tight but I still need my vehicle repaired, I can trust God that when I pay the mechanic what I owe, God knows what I need and will provide.  (Matthew 5:32)  Other times I may be tempted to fight for the best deal, forgetting that I may be making it hard for a struggling entrepreneur to make ends meet.

I may be guilty of breaking the eighth commandment when my main concern is my own bottom line.

It is easy for me to breeze past this commandment, thinking it doesn't apply to me since I'm not a thief or a shoplifter.  As is usual with God, however, there is more than what is seen on the surface.  I must be careful to give God what belongs to Him, respect the intangible property of others, and realize my own thriftiness may be threatening another's livelihood.  In these ways, I may have the heart of a thief.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can look beyond the surface and seek the real message God is giving me.

When am I guilty of stealing from God?

How do I spend so much time saving my own money that I fail to realize how it affects others?