- Feb 7, 2010
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Ephesians 4:28
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.[1]
So often we read the Scriptures, especially those that are familiar, and skip over them because we assume they dont apply to us. After all, Im not a thief. I dont dress up in black at night and put on a mask and break into peoples homes to steal jewelry like the Pink Panther. I dont go into the First City Bank with a mask on and with a gun and demand all the money. God must mean those verses for others. Not necessarily. I need to stop and ask the Lord how the Scripture verse(s) apply to my life that day. Sometimes they do and we dont realize it.
For instance, stealing is taking something from someone else that is not rightfully yours and that the owner has not willingly given to you as a gift [my simple definition]. Thats more than jewelry or cash. It could be time, such as being late for work or leaving early or taking long breaks or lunches, it could be taking or using product not meant for you, it could be stealing or copying software, games, music, cable TV, or internet access, or overcharging others for your products or services, or stealing away someones spouse or loved one, or padding an expense report, time card, or tax return. The list goes on and on. Perhaps God the Holy Spirit has put his finger on something in your life through this verse already?
As you read your daily Scripture passages, stop and ask God what specific application the verses you are reading that day have in your life, and then listen for his answer and obey him. By the way, you wont hear what he has for you that day if you are stealing time away from him so you can sleep longer because you stayed up too late, or are too busy to sit with him each day so he can speak to you. What do we steal from God by our lifestyles and priorities and how we spend our time?
[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 4:28). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.[1]
So often we read the Scriptures, especially those that are familiar, and skip over them because we assume they dont apply to us. After all, Im not a thief. I dont dress up in black at night and put on a mask and break into peoples homes to steal jewelry like the Pink Panther. I dont go into the First City Bank with a mask on and with a gun and demand all the money. God must mean those verses for others. Not necessarily. I need to stop and ask the Lord how the Scripture verse(s) apply to my life that day. Sometimes they do and we dont realize it.
For instance, stealing is taking something from someone else that is not rightfully yours and that the owner has not willingly given to you as a gift [my simple definition]. Thats more than jewelry or cash. It could be time, such as being late for work or leaving early or taking long breaks or lunches, it could be taking or using product not meant for you, it could be stealing or copying software, games, music, cable TV, or internet access, or overcharging others for your products or services, or stealing away someones spouse or loved one, or padding an expense report, time card, or tax return. The list goes on and on. Perhaps God the Holy Spirit has put his finger on something in your life through this verse already?
As you read your daily Scripture passages, stop and ask God what specific application the verses you are reading that day have in your life, and then listen for his answer and obey him. By the way, you wont hear what he has for you that day if you are stealing time away from him so you can sleep longer because you stayed up too late, or are too busy to sit with him each day so he can speak to you. What do we steal from God by our lifestyles and priorities and how we spend our time?
[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 4:28). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
