Send us Fan Mail Protection that brings blessing on our relationships/life You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15 Simple / Done Steal: gānab – take for nothing, thievery, deceit Stealing the truth about someone / taking reputation **Me 25 – Lose prevention - Church/donation boxes Sat 5am – stake out, camcorder, confront – kid in box pretend load, needy people //Go sin no more // Back next week **asked my mom steal // Never did anything wrong What mom doesn’t know… Everyday part of life. Stealing is about gaining something at someone else’s unwilling expense. Stuff, possessions, passwords, company, returning wrong items, Not reporting income / taxes – they don’t need it! Adam and Eve in the garden – eat every tree – not one // why we steal??? 1. We Lack contentment. We crave for more – better = $1 good / $2 better, vacay, wife LIE - If I get more, I’ll be satisfied God’s solution: Contentment – let the portion he gives satisfy Single, 1 kid, income, business, You can live frustrated or content Contentment – trust God – he knows need & will provide. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 **Treadmill – walking/ keeping up with expectations. Don’t start with greed/love of money – but reasonable Want comfortable, kids better life, security Comparing numbers: his house / > numbers! Clothes, money Not evil, but sneaky = (Paul) want to get rich, fall into trap Trap is in the wanting, not the having Speeding up – at 5, need 6, etc.- Comfort, options, Amazon sweating, striving, spending, = still be in the exact same place. *Take remote - At some point, not choosing speed anymore Rat race isn’t you are lazy, but exhausted by things can’t satisfy Contentment is stepping off “Contentment is when my soul is no longer controlled by what I do not have.” Grateful for what God has given We lack contentment because we don’t trust God as Provider. God is trustworthy – won’t let you down = MY SOURCE Won’t give everything you want, but will what you need Not because you are good, but you’re his kids And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Not my politics, the economy, my job, my situation What is your source?? – job, him, US econ, wits, edu., self/steal We lack contentment because we don’t trust God’s Timing. Steal now, God is late **Friends who are late? Late for church today… I’m always on time… a Christian God is not on our time – but always at the right time. ** parking lot – 2 yrs. - Set close June 30th – $248k. // Bank/Lenders/Title Company??? Canceled 2x, meet lunch God is doing something bigger than you understand. 2. We don’t love people enough. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 **Think of someone you love most – won’t steal from them Won’t steal their joy, peace, supply, reputation, protect them! *person you least love – love them the same as self. 3. We don’t recognize that Trust is a Test. **Never robbed a bank – but fill soda water cup Kids are 11, food in store, x samples, We think only the big stuff matters If you will treat the little things like big things, God will give you big stuff like it’s small stuff. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16:10 *Old man in our church – throw change in the yard… It’s a test – one day caught the cable guy filling his pockets Free cable for a while – so proud. The enemy setting you up and the cost of your integrity??? $2 worth of soda, $5 pen work, clocking in early, sharing passwords, copying homework, chipotle movie, Practical application / wrap it up Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28 1. Quit Stealing. 2. Work Hard Hard work is worship to unto the Lord. *Represent God all day everyday Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23 Not – doesn’t affect them, they don’t care / God cares 3. Give Generously Not about what you can get, but what you can give. God has better life for us // not more stuff. The opposite of stealing isn’t not taking things… Honesty, contentment, hard work, generosity Most famous thieves in Bible – crosses next to Jesus. One doubled down / other repented = recognized Jesus generously, graciously laid down his life. Ask the Holy Spirit / convict me Pray - Salvation Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved
