Today we are going to jump ahead to the 8th Commandment, even though this is week 7 of the series. We’ll come back around and pick up commandment #7 in the final week of the series.
Exodus 20:15 (NIV)
15 "You shall not steal.
There will undoubtedly be some push back to some of what I am about to say. Pay attention to that.
As always, I just want to encourage you to be open to the Word of God and what the Spirit of God may be saying to you today.
Did you know there are somewhere around 130 synonyms for stealing?
Here are just Some of the ways people choose to steal:
1. Deceiving customers.
The Old Testament prophet, Amos explained how people were cheating the helpless.
Amos 8:5b (NLT)
5b You measure out grain with dishonest measures and cheat the buyer with dishonest scales.
Does that sound familiar?
It reminds me of when…
• A repairman makes unnecessary repairs.
• A doctor runs unnecessary tests.
• Or when someone sells a car and doesn't tell the buyer the truth about why they are selling it.
If you do these kinds of things, you are deceiving the customer and that is just one form of stealing.
2. Defrauding employers.
Defrauding employers can include everything from wasting time on the job, padding your expense account, or taking home supplies, equipment, or merchandise that doesn’t belong to you.
And people are the masters at justifying this kind of behavior.
We decide that the company owes us, so we balance accounts by taking things that don’t belong to us and by cutting corners on our hours to make up the difference.
These are forms of stealing. God says, don't do it!
3. Delaying payments.
This is about more than waiting until the due date on a bill.
Leviticus 19:13 (NLT)
13 “Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.
If you have employees, or suppliers, or friends that you owe money to, the principle here is to stop putting them off and pay them what you owe them.
It may seem like good business to keep their money and use it for other things or to try to gain a little interest, but that plan never sounds as good when you are the one waiting to be paid.
If anyone is going to leverage those dollars, it should be the ones who earned it.
4. Defaulting on loans.
A lot of people borrow money they have no intention of paying back.
The worst loans are often those made to friends and family.
Psalm 37:21a (NLT)
21a The wicked borrow and never repay…
This principle is not just about bankruptcy, or defaulting on a loan.
It really applies to anything we borrow including tools, punch bowls, DVD’s, you name it.
Is there anything in your garage that you need to return to the rightful owner?
How about in your closet or somewhere else in your house?
You may consider it long-term borrowing, but in the strictest sense, you are defaulting on a loan.
5. Defrauding or deceiving the government.
Romans 13:6-7a (NIV)
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.
7a Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue;
Tax avoidance is good stewardship.
There's no reason anyone should overpay their taxes.
A wise steward will plan ahead and try to maximize their money. There's nothing wrong with that.
Bu there is a difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. Tax evasion is illegal and it represents another form of stealing.
6. Defrauding the Lord.
Malachi 3:8 (NIV)
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.
The tithe is a tenth or ten percent.
The Bible teaches that the first 10% of all I make goes back to God as an expression of gratitude for all that He has given me.
If it weren’t for the Lord, none of us would have anything.
Tithing is a tangible way to put God first by returning the first 10% of all I make back to God.
He could have said return 20%, 50% but He just said 10%.
I don't know why He chose 10%, but He did.
So, God basically says, if I am paying my bills or buying things with the tithe (that first 10%), I am robbing Him.
These are just a few of the ways a person may be guilty of stealing. This commandment to not steal is really a call to be honest.
Here’s why it is so important to be honest:
1. I am being watched…
…by God.
If you knew that everybody was going to find out about it, would you still steal? Not likely.
People steal because they think they can get away with it.
They think nobody is going to find out about it.
Satan comes along and says,
"Nobody's going to know.
Besides you owe it to yourself.
Your employer is ripping you off.
You’re not getting paid enough.
It's OK to take those supplies home.
It's OK to take that equipment.
Nobody's ever going to know.
They don’t need it anyway.
They will never miss it.
Nobody will ever find out."
Wrong!
Even IF nobody else ever finds out, God knows.
He's the one you're going to have to give an account to, not anybody else.
Job 34:21-22 (NIV)
21 "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. 22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded that nothing escapes God's watchful eye. Nothing is beyond His view.
I may fool other people.
I may fool the government.
I may fool the insurance company.
But I will never fool God.
And He's the One I am accountable to.
One day I will stand before Him and give an account.
I’ll have to explain why I chose to steal when God told us plainly not to do it.
I'm being watched by God.
If I am a parent, I’m not only being watched by God…
I am being watched…by my children.
Your kids are watching. Your lifestyle is communicating something very specific about your values.
Values are more caught that taught.
I wonder, is there anything in your life you'd be ashamed for your kids to know?
Proverbs 20:7 (TEV)
7 Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is integrity. Having a parent of integrity is a great blessing.
I am being watched…by everyone who knows me.
The Bible says, "Let your light shine so people can see your good works and praise your father."
You are being watched by God, your children, everyone you know.
Another reason it is important to be honest…
2. I will reap what I sow.
Galatians 6:7 (NIV)
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Count on it.
You will reap what you sow.
It is called the law of the harvest.
If I plant corn, I'm going to harvest corn, not potatoes.
If I plant apple seeds, I'll grow an apple tree, not a peach tree.
Whatever you sow you're going to reap.
Proverbs 15:27 (NIV)
27 A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.
The newspapers are full of that kind of thing.
Men and women who got their families in trouble because they were making a dishonest profit.
God says, “Don't do it.”
Proverbs 21:6 (TLB)
6 Dishonest gain will never last, so why take the risk?
It's not worth it.
You're eventually going to be found out -- here on earth or in heaven, so why take the risk?
You reap what you sow.
If you are honest and you maintain integrity in all your decisions, that is no guarantee that you will never be ripped off, but God has promised to take care of those who live to honor and obey Him.
Another reason it is important to be honest…
3. Dishonesty damages my character.
There are all kinds of ways to make a lot of money really fast.
In most cases, they are dishonest, or they take advantage of innocent people.
Jesus said, “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?”
Proverbs 10:2 (NLT)
2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
The Bible says that satan is a thief.
The thief comes to kill and destroy.
But, Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life."
Think about it like this.
God is always truthful, always honest.
He never lies and He is never dishonest.
Satan is the father of lies. He is a thief.
Do you want to align yourself with God…
Or do you want to align yourself with the devil?
Do you want go the devil's way or do you want to go God's way?
Are you becoming more like satan or more like God?
Some make the excuse: “I just can't make it in the market place today if I don't lie a little here and there. I have to cut a few corners to gain the edge. I have to cheat a little from time to time. It can’t be helped. Everybody does it. Things are just too competitive. That’s just the way it is. I have no other choice.
Can I tell you the truth?
If that is what you think, you have already bought the big lie.
There is no substitute for integrity.
Believe it or not, integrity still exists.
Customers still want to do business with people they trust.
Don't sell your soul for a few dollars of fast profit.
4. God will reward my honesty.
He will reward you in this life and in eternity.
Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)
20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
When you're trying to get rich quickly, you're going to run into problems and you'll eventually be punished for it.
Steer clear of get rich-quick schemes.
Listen to the Word of God.
Wealth is accumulated by steadily, consistently adding, little by little, to proper investments.
We gain wealth by hard work, by wise savings, by honesty, by good stewardship, and by investing in things that count, and by investing in people.
God is getting us ready for eternity right now.
He's testing us through trials and problems; through temptation; and with how we handle money.
It is good to be reminded that our conduct here on earth, has an impact in heaven and on eternity.
If I respond correctly and do the right thing, there will be rewards in heaven.
If I do the wrong thing, there will be consequences.
That is definitely the message of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.
So, if you want to get started on the road to integrity, or living a life of integrity, here are three simple things you can do.
Steps to Integrity:
1. Make restitution when possible.
Restitution is simply making right what you have done wrong.
A good example of this is a guy by the name of Zacchaeus.
Remember Zacchaeus? He was that wee little man, a wee little man was he.
Jesus came to town one day and Zacchaeus couldn't see above the crowd so the Bible says he climbed up in a tree and as Jesus was walking by He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, I'm coming to your house today."
That created quite a scandal.
Zacchaeus was a dishonest tax collector.
Tax collectors were the wealthiest and most hated people.
In the Roman system, tax collectors would overcharge people and keep the excess profit for themselves.
It was a cutthroat and dishonest profession.
But Jesus went to his house for dinner.
That night Zacchaeus confessed that he had been doing the wrong thing.
He said, “I want to get my life on the right track.
I'm going to start doing what God wants."
He told Jesus, “If I have cheated anyone I will pay him back four times as much."
That's what restitution looks like.
Luke 19:9 (NIV)
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
This is a case where his belief effected his behavior.
That’s what it looks like when your conversion is real.
An encounter with Jesus will change the way you think, the way you act, the way you live.
It's not just a matter of belief, it's a matter of behavior.
Are you open to making restitution to those you have wronged?
It is a bold and courageous thing to do.
And I am convinced that God will honor those who do it.
God could be speaking to you about making restitution to someone today.
-Taking to you about taking some things back to a former employer?
-Paying for something you have stolen?
-Returning something to a neighbor or friend?
It could be office supplies, your neighbor's chain saw, hotel towels, whatever.
Maybe you need to send someone a check.
Write them a note and let them know what happened.
This can be a great witnessing opportunity,
but in some cases, restitution can be made anonymously.
You send cash or a money order with a simple explanation of what happened. You don’t even have to sign it.
You may be like the guy who cheated the IRS.
He got under conviction about it and sent a letter with $500 in it and a note that said, "I've cheated the IRS. Here's $500.
P.S. If I still feel guilty, I'll send the rest later.
He chose note to sign it or include his return address. ?
You might send a money order to your employer and say,
"I am making restitution for ________________ because
I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I want to do what's right."
You could sign it, "A cleared conscience."
You can't buy that kind of feeling.
I believe God may be speaking to some about doing this very thing today.
I would love to hear about it (anonymously, if you like).
The freedom and joy that comes from a clear conscience cannot be bought.
It is a great way to live.
A second possible step on the path to integrity…
2. Give God my full tithe.
Malachi 3:8-10 (NLT)
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.
9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
God has more promises about giving than any other thing in the Bible. Here He says, bring the tithe to the storehouse.
The storehouse is defined as wherever you worship.
The fact is God says if I'm not tithing then I'm paying my bills with money that belongs to Him.
If I'm not tithing, I am spending money that I have taken from God.
One day I will give an account to Him for what I have done.
I can try to figure out a way to explain my way around it, excuse it, justify it, or condone it.
But God’s Word is clear.
We are not to steal, from Him, or anybody else.
I find it interesting that some people try to justify not tithing by saying that tithing is Old Testament.
So what. So are the Ten Commandments.
I have never heard anyone denounce the Ten Commandments, or say we shouldn’t obey them just because they are in the Old Testament.
As Aaron said last week, we are not under law, we are under grace.
That means we do more than the law requires, not less.
We do more because of our love for God.
One more step toward integrity…
3. Make an honest living.
Ephesians 4:28 (NLT)
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
I would suggest that you begin to act as if God were your boss.
Did you know that as Christians, we are to work as thought we are working for the Lord regardless of who our boss is or what company we work for?
Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23 – Work like you're working for the Lord.
As you can see stealing, and violating this eighth commandment, is something that can happen in so many ways.
Maybe you haven’t given this kind of thing much thought.
But the Spirit of God is faithful, and if He has spoken to you today, I just want to encourage you to listen and obey.
Stop stealing…
from your employer,
from the government,
from others,
from God.
I have no doubt that the Lord has brought some things to mind for some of you today.
Now the question comes, what are you going to do about it?
Are you going to try to get out of here and forget about it?
Are you going to try to rationalize things and justify it in your mind?
Are you willing to repent/change?
Satan would rather keep things in the shadows.
He wants you to buy the lie that nobody will ever know.
If what you are doing has to be a secret, that is a pretty good sign there is a high degree of deception.
The Bible says in the book of Revelation (21:7), "No dishonest person will be allowed into heaven."
That means none of us stand a chance.
Nobody stands a chance of getting into heaven…unless we have a Savior.
We have all been dishonest in different ways.
That's why Jesus Christ took upon himself our sins on the cross.
He paid the penalty for our sin.
When I come to Him and say, "Jesus Christ, there is no way I can earn my way to heaven, because dishonest people aren’t going to make it and I've been dishonest.
I have done the wrong thing.
I have sinned.
I ask You to forgive me.
When we repent of our sin, Jesus has promised to cleanse and forgive.
We get into heaven on His ticket!
He offers all of us this incredible gift of full forgiveness and eternal life.
If you are ready to put you trust in Jesus Christ today,
I want to invite you to pray a simple prayer.
"Jesus, I want you to be the Lord of my life. I want to follow You to the very best of my ability.
From this day forward I want to live a life of integrity.
I will make restitution as You lead me.
I will steal no more from You, my employer, or anyone else.
I will live honestly and with integrity.
No more excuses. No more copouts.
Today, I am coming clean and I want Your will in my life more than my own.”
If you prayed that prayer and meant it, not only will you have a happier, fuller, more meaningful and fulfilling life, but you will experience rewards here, and throughout all eternity.
That is the truth, according to God’s Holy Word.
CLOSING PRAYER
