Introductory Thoughts
As a sin of selfishness, stealing does not care for the well-being of those whom it victimizes. The thief cares for himself and only himself. He will steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He will strip a man of his raiment, wound him, and leave him to die (Luke 10:30). He will break up homes and families. This is true of a man who steals material goods, people, animals, money, affection, or any other thing that can be stolen. A thief is a thief. Selfishness causes him to take something that does not belong to him, and selfishness will deceive him into thinking he deserves those things at any cost. Many times the thief has been hurt so he wants someone else to hurt, die, or be left desolate.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): A woman who stole anothers baby cared nothing for the baby or its mother. God gave Solomon wisdom to show her true heart (1 Kings 3:16-27). Consider the cruelty in Proverbs 1:11-13. Jesus became angry at thieves in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13).
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(For everyone): Are you a thief? Do you try to justify the things that you steal? How many people have you hurt in order to take the things you have taken? Have you ever gone back to those people to try to fix the wounds you caused?
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Have you been hurt by a thief? What did you lose when someone stole from you? How hard was it to regain what was lost?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to show you the hurt caused by thieves.
- Ask God to show you the selfishness of stealing.
Song
ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME
