Daily Companion  | 23 July

 STEAL NO MORE   

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. - Ephesians 4:28

Stealing is an act of taking someone’s item or propety without their permission and without intention to return it. Ranging from pilfering (stealing small items) to robbery (stealing items by force), theft is a sin, a pschological, behavioural and spiritual problem which salvation or deliverance from must be evident to all. 

Stealing is addictive. It has similar effect as substance abuse or misuse. Kleptomania is also a form of stealing that is exhibited by urge or impulses to steal others’ property even when the sufferer does not need it. While some steal because of economic hardships, others’ impulse to steal has spiritual undertone. Either way, salvation and deliverance are needed. 

Dear friend, are you a sufferer of stealing? The Lord is knocking at the door of your heart. Let Him in to save you. The story of Dismas, the second thief on the cross proved to us that no one is beyond God’s non-discriminatory grace. Repent today.

Aside genuine salvation and (if need be) a deliverance, another antidote to stealing is hardworking with legitimate job: “working with his hands the thing which is good”. Not all jobs are legitimate. Smuggling business is not good. Taking or giving bribes at workplace or vocation is not godly. The third antidote to stealing is cultivating a habit of benevolence. In your abundance, little or great, give to the poor. Salvation from stealing takes you out of want into prosperity. 

A truly born-of-God Christian will not steal. If anyone claiming to be a Christian was once a thief must  “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). He must steal no more to proof to all his true conversion. “Let him that stole, steal no more.”

Today’s Recite: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." -  John 10:10

Today’s Morning Prayer: O Lord, I come to You this day with my heart to be cleansed from any act of stealing. I pray for Your grace to steal no more. I pray for all thieves, low or high, that they will find salvation and deliverance in You today in Jesus name. Amen

Today’s Hymn: Have You Been To Jesus For The Cleansing Power

Today’s ReadMe:  Isaiah 19 - 23