All Stealing is Stealing

A Word of Truth #120  

In vain we call old notions fudge
And bend our conscience to our dealing.
The Ten Commandments will not budge,
And stealing will continue stealing.

There is no way around God’s command, “You shall not steal,” so sinful nature tries to redefine stealing.

Outright stealing is obvious. However, the person who does not return what he has borrowed is also stealing (cf. Psalm 37:21). The worker who does not give a full hour of honest work for his hourly wage is stealing. The person who copies music, video, and printed material without permission is stealing. Any cheating is stealing. Dishonesty in business dealings or in paying taxes is stealing. Anytime we take an advantage which we have not earned or has not been given to us, we are stealing.

Stealing is stealing regardless of what we call it. May the love of Christ move us to help one another in keeping what is ours and to be content with what God has given us.

A Good Name is a Precious Gift from God

A Word of Truth #121  

If you were given the choice between having a good name and reputation or a sizable fortune, which would you choose? I’m afraid that many people in our world would grab the money and run! Yet, Solomon, one of the wealthiest and wisest men ever to live on this earth, offers us this advice in the book of Proverbs, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” (22:1)

Why? While Solomon doesn’t elaborate in Proverbs, he does point out in the book of Ecclesiastes that the mere possession of wealth does not bring happiness or lead to contentment. In fact large sums of money can lead to many sorrows. A good name and reputation, on the other hand, brings with it the respect and honor of others. These blessings of our Lord in turn often lead to genuine happiness and contentment.