For most of us, the idea of one man stealing from another
man is offensive to the point of being repulsive. But, to steal from
God, how could anyone do such a thing? Yet, that is exactly the charge
God leveled against Israel through the prophet Malachi. “Will
a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me” (Mal. 3:8). They had robbed
God by not bringing the offerings and sacrifices He required. Can a
man steal from God today? Certainly. When one withholds from God what
is rightfully His, he is guilty of robbing God. Consider the following
examples. A man robs God whenever he gives God his:
Sorrow But Not His Service
The wise man, Solomon, teaches us that “It is better to go to
the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that
is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart”
(Eccl. 7:2). At a recent funeral the preacher encouraged the grieving
to give their sorrow to Jesus when it became too much for them to handle.
My first thought was of the wonderful privilege it is to be able to
lean on Jesus in times of trouble. Is He there for us in times of sorrow?
Yes. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”
(1 Peter 5:7).
However, God requires more of us than just to trust
Him in times of sorrow? Yes. “And he said to them all, If any
man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus expects daily service.
Paul likened it to daily death. “And why stand we in jeopardy
every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus
our Lord, I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:30-31).
Clearly, no one can serve God in such a way as to earn
the right to lean on Him in time of sorrow. But, everyone can honor
God with faithful, respectful service. Such is required by God and is
a sign of our freedom from sin. “But now being made free from
sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and
the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:22). God is there for us in
times of sorrow, but we must spend our days in service to Him.
Fear but not His Faithfulness
There is no reason for a child of God to be afraid in the presence of
God. “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid
his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and
the last” (Rev. 1:17). In fact to help us overcome fear, God places
us in the kingdom of His Son. “Fear not, little flock; for it
is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke
12:32). In God’s kingdom, we have every reason to offer wholehearted,
fearless service no matter what man might do to us. “And fear
not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but
rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell”
(Matt. 10:28).
However, for one to have the assurance of God’s
protection and care, he must be living faithfully before the Lord. Only
“a faithful man shall abound with blessings” (Prov. 28:20).
In fact, God requires “in stewards, that a man be found faithful”
(1 Cor. 4:2). God expects us to be faithful even unto death. “Fear
none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall
cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have
tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee
a crown of life” (Rev 2:10). If we turn to God to help us overcome
our fear and fail to serve Him faithfully, we are robbing God of that
which is rightfully His.
Worry but not his Work
There are many thing in this life that cause us concern. However, the
Christian has a help in dealing with life’s problems that is not
available to those outside of Christ. For that reason we are told not
to be filled with care. “Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). Because we can go to God
in prayer, there is no reason for us to be careful (full of care). Because
of God’s love you are invited to cast “all your care upon
him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). It is a blessing that
God helps us through the struggles of this life for its care can serve
to make us unfruitful to God’s cause. “He also that received
seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this
world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22).
However, God expects one to use that unburdened life
as a working servant in His cause. “Let us labour therefore to
enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief”
(Heb. 4:11). “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have
ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb. 6:10). It is
right for us to take our worry to God, but we must also give him our
work. To do less is stealing from the Almighty.
