Don’t Take It! Part 1

“Half of our mistakes in life arises from feeling where we ought to think, and thinking where we ought to feel.” John Churton Collins

This is the 283^rd letter:

Text for the day: Exodus 20:15

“Thou shalt not steal.”

Our Theme for the day: “THE BLUEPRINT” Part 15 (Don’t Take It!)

Our Devotional

As I was driving down the road the other day, I saw a sign on the back of a car in front on me which read, “Don’t steal, the government don’t like competition!” When the car drove of on a side road, I got to thinking about those words.

What is the definition for stealing? Stealing is the taking of things or being in possession of things that belong to someone else without their permission. Did you know that stealing is one of the mean reasons why so many people are behind bars today? The Center for effective Parenting says that, “stealing is a common behavior in young children. Almost all children take things that don't belong to them at one time or another.

Stealing, however, is a behavior that can be quite upsetting to parents. Many parents who have caught their children stealing worry that their children are on the road to becoming hardened criminals. These parents should be relieved to know that the vast majority of children who occasionally steal grow up to be law abiding citizens. While stealing is often considered a normal or common behavior in young children, it must still be addressed and corrected if you are going to enter Heaven.

“Parents should discuss this with their children to make sure that they know why stealing is wrong. Parents can point out that stealing means taking something that rightfully belongs to someone else”…… “It might also be a good idea for parents to require that the child apologize to the person from whom the item was stolen. Sometimes this is very difficult for children, so parents may not want to force the issue if their child is unable to make an apology. It is, however, very important that the child go along on the trip to make the return. It is very important that the child assume responsibility for correcting the misbehavior.”

“To steal” in the Hebrew word is “ganab” and the Greek word is “klepto” and means “to take or make use of without right or authority, usually with the intent to keep”. From the Gk. word “klepto”, we get the English word “kleptomania”, meaning “to have a persistent impulse to steal”. Have you ever told other people that it was wrong to steal, but then you were doing so (stealing) yourself? Have you ever thought that it was wrong to rob a bank, but that it was alright to do any of the following?

1. · Taking/eating food from where you work, when you are not supposed to?

2. · Borrowing money, tools, books, videos, CDs, etc; from someone and then not returning or repaying what you borrowed?

3. · copying copyrighted material unlawfully (e.g., music, videos, books, etc.)?

4. · Taking supplies/materials from where you work (e.g., pens, pencils, etc.) or doing your work on your job time?

5. · Sampling food at the grocery store (e.g., fruit, candy, etc.) without paying for it?

6. · Taking longer breaks or quitting earlier at work than you should and being paid for your full time?

7. · Seeing someone drop or leave something (e.g., money, wallet, purse, a material item) and then picking it up and keeping it rather than telling the person he/she dropped or left the item?

8. · Taking from the rich to give to the poor?

9. · Taking from the poor to get richer?

10. · What about stealing Gods tithes, Malachi 3: 6-12

“Why do most people think it was wrong to rob a bank but not wrong to rob in any of the above ways? Can you think of any other ways that people steal without thinking that they are actually stealing? Now that you’ve been made aware of these often overlooked ways of stealing, will you rationalize, justify, or excuse stealing in these ways any longer? It would do well for us to relook at this devotion, because stealing is a subject well worth our attention for two reasons. Firstly, stealing has become a problem of epidemic proportions around the world. Secondly, consider the impact of “stealing” has on our economy. “If you're content with what God has given, how can you become a thief? Keep your heart free from wanting other people's possessions by resting in God's provision, and you won't be tempted to steal.” By Carey Kinsolving

Lastly, one of the reasons for the killing in the streets is because of stealing. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and "blood toucheth blood." Hosea 4:1-3.

Further reading on stealing:

Ephesians 4:28, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”

Leviticus 19:11, Exodus 22:7, Proverbs 10:2, “Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.”

Romans 13:9, “For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jeremiah 7:9-11, “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!” You have become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God . And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Luke 19:8, Psalm 62:10, Leviticus 6:1-6,

1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

Zechariah 5:1-4, Matthew 7:7.

In John 10:10 the Bible calls Satan a thief, whose intent is to only steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came to give us life, may we accept life today, and let's be honest. John 3:16-21.

If you would like to put forth a comment to our series, send it to TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com, all comments will be viewed then posted. If you don’t wish your comment to be posted just let us know.

This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci

Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, (THE BLUE-PRINT” Part 16 LET'S BE HONEST)

Song of the day

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Ø Today is helping someone who is blind day.

If possible, share with us your response.

Our Prayer for today:

Lord, allow nothing come between you and me, and if there be sin in my life today, I surrender all in Jesus name Amen.

Prayer Request

Community / International Prayer

Local Prayer Request:

Ø Let us pray for Pastor Milton Burgess of Bermuda who is receiving treatment in John Hopkins Hospital.

Ø Can you pray for the family of Miss Ida James who was murdered in her home in Bermuda last Friday? Friends and the Island’s social workers pay tribute to Ida James who was a “mother to Bermuda’s children”. Colleagues have today paid tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the 66-year-old woman “who never stopped living her career”. They spoke out as they struggle to come to terms with how someone who dedicated her entire life to others could have her own life taken away in such tragic circumstances. Ms James has been described as a big-hearted woman who will be remembered and respected for her work. Even though she didn’t have any of her own children, she is said to have touched the lives of many families by being there when they needed her.

World Events:

Ø We are calling for prayer for the people of Nigerian city of Ibadan where at least 102 people are now thought to have been killed by floods. Floodwater, resulting from heavy rains that began on Friday, damaged three bridges and caused a dam to overflow, submerging buildings across the city. Most of the victims were children. Some victims had been trapped in collapsed buildings. Although flooding is common in Nigeria during the rainy season, meteorologists say this year's rains have been particularly heavy. Last year, about 500,000 people were displaced nationwide. About 2,000 residents have so far been displaced.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

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Today is a great day to praise the LORD for the things He is doing around the world through all Ministries. Although the work of spreading the gospel in different countries is moving ahead by human hands, it is not advancing as it should advance, yet, that which has been accomplished affords reason for gratitude and grounds for encouragement. To add to this great work of finishing the work of God is this ministry (Garden Ministry). We need your help; more and more people are seeking for Garden Ministry to be translated into their language. If you would like to translate this devotional and send it off to your friends in different parts of the world, please do so. You have our blessing.