Now that the topic of sexual sins was covered, the impact of non-sexual sins bears mention. On the subject of thieves, we would typically not think a shoplifter as deserving a death penalty as it is considered a petty crime in the judicial system. With the commercial world of large retail stores, what is a person really doing when he takes a small item. Or steals because she is hungry. Thievery is looking at a lifestyle in this context. Swindling might be more of the grand theft and cheating people out of large sums of money. Yet the scripture is quite clear, a practice of stealing will exempt a person from inheriting the kingdom of God.
What about cheating on taxes? Even Jesus stated we are to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, so that means we should pay taxes and not worry about the finances. We have to trust God and be good stewards of our resources. With such a complicated tax system, I always wonder if I covered everything. I do use tax software and that is supposed to be statistically about 40 times more accurate than doing it on paper forms.
I remember when I was in the Army, that a captain was put out of the military for stealing a pair of sunglasses. He walked out of the Post Exchange and was caught. When I worked at Sears, I remember the cost of stealing was around 10% for the store. When my son worked at King Sooper's grocery store, he watched a person walk right out the door with a 12 pack of beer. They were told not not confront thieves and let security handle it. The risk of someone becoming violent was considered a business risk for not getting involved.
Combine thievery with greed. In an affluent society we do not consider greed such a sin worthy of the death penalty. We barely address greed in most conversations about sins. The desire for material wealth drives people to commit acts they would not normally do. I read an article about an Easter egg hunt this year. PEZ sponsored a huge event and it turned out negative. Some frenzied parents pushed kids out of the way, knocked some down, and tore down signs for designated areas. Are we so focused on material gain that we forget the values we pass on to children? Is this a sign of the impending times that describes people being lovers of themselves?
Stealing is not an issue for me, but I can see why people do it. Some like the challenge. Others steal to support another bondage such as alcohol or drugs. A person may be desperate enough such as hunger to steal to survive. Realistically that would be stupid thinking as we have enough charitable organizations that provide food and these folks are all over the city. As a last resort one could find a piece of cardboard and set up operations on a street corner. When I found out how money some take in, I actually considered it as a part time option. Can you imagine Dr. Lewis standing on a freeway ramp with a sign: "Need money for my mission trip. Anything will help. God bless you."
Note the scripture says that we were like these characteristics, but following Christ means we no longer are identified with these characteristics. We turn away from them and have a new nature. No one should be able to call our behavior according to these former habits. When we recognize them or someone pints one out, we need to turn away from these characteristics:
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were (I Cor 6:9).
What about cheating on taxes? Even Jesus stated we are to give to Caesar what is Caesar's, so that means we should pay taxes and not worry about the finances. We have to trust God and be good stewards of our resources. With such a complicated tax system, I always wonder if I covered everything. I do use tax software and that is supposed to be statistically about 40 times more accurate than doing it on paper forms.
I remember when I was in the Army, that a captain was put out of the military for stealing a pair of sunglasses. He walked out of the Post Exchange and was caught. When I worked at Sears, I remember the cost of stealing was around 10% for the store. When my son worked at King Sooper's grocery store, he watched a person walk right out the door with a 12 pack of beer. They were told not not confront thieves and let security handle it. The risk of someone becoming violent was considered a business risk for not getting involved.
Combine thievery with greed. In an affluent society we do not consider greed such a sin worthy of the death penalty. We barely address greed in most conversations about sins. The desire for material wealth drives people to commit acts they would not normally do. I read an article about an Easter egg hunt this year. PEZ sponsored a huge event and it turned out negative. Some frenzied parents pushed kids out of the way, knocked some down, and tore down signs for designated areas. Are we so focused on material gain that we forget the values we pass on to children? Is this a sign of the impending times that describes people being lovers of themselves?
Stealing is not an issue for me, but I can see why people do it. Some like the challenge. Others steal to support another bondage such as alcohol or drugs. A person may be desperate enough such as hunger to steal to survive. Realistically that would be stupid thinking as we have enough charitable organizations that provide food and these folks are all over the city. As a last resort one could find a piece of cardboard and set up operations on a street corner. When I found out how money some take in, I actually considered it as a part time option. Can you imagine Dr. Lewis standing on a freeway ramp with a sign: "Need money for my mission trip. Anything will help. God bless you."
Note the scripture says that we were like these characteristics, but following Christ means we no longer are identified with these characteristics. We turn away from them and have a new nature. No one should be able to call our behavior according to these former habits. When we recognize them or someone pints one out, we need to turn away from these characteristics:
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were (I Cor 6:9).
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