Message summary: Remember God's command, “Thou shalt not steal”. Not surprisingly it makes a lot of sense.

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“Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15). “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).

As we drive through the country we enjoy stopping at the many roadside stands selling a variety of flowers, produce and even home-made decor. Some stands are big and have staff "manning" the items. But most are small, out by the road with no one watching over them. They are self-serve and rely on the honor system trusting the people will pay what they owe. If you look carefully at our lead photo you will see a tin can with a slot for the money at the top.

A few miles beyond our first photo of perennials and asparagus we stopped at a stand that was selling various colors of dahlia tubers. Brooksyne picked out a tuber that would grow alavender dahlia and came to me for the money. You know how that is! She looked for the container where she could leave the $6.00 but couldn't find it. After looking around awhile she found a zipped bank bag lying on the ground near the wagon.

Among the converts in the early church some of them had been thieves (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). In this list a vital two word phrase that marks conversion is "such were" some of you.

Paul makes a command greatly needed in every age and certainly increasingly in our own age as well: “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).

Consider this comment from the Expositor’s Bible Commentary: “From the lowest dregs of the Greek cities, from its profligate and criminal classes — the gospel had drawn its converts. In the Ephesian Church there were converted thieves; and Christianity had to make of them honest workmen.”

Surely when Paul wrote this he was considering the eighth Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15). This is so vital to a properly functioning society.

But now in many cities stores are closing because of retail theft and some social justice warriors are advocating to legitimize stealing, using the Orwellian term "microlooting" * In this sordid view stealing is seen as justified since they assert the store makes enough money already and the owner is rich and those who steal are "oppressed". You can imagine what a slippery slope this is!

Hopefully, you are blessed with roadside stands where you live. We do not recall seeing anything similar in previous places we have lived. It is a blessing to both the owners, who are able to efficiently sell their home-grown produce and other goods, and for those of us who like to buy from them. Remember God's command, “Thou shalt not steal”. Not surprisingly it makes a lot of sense!



Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.



Stephen & Brooksyne Weber