Have you ever been robbed of things in market or any other crowded place? Probably most of us would have lost some or the other to some sharp robbers or because of our carelessness. Police in many cities mark those crowded places with warning signs to make people extra careful of their belongings. The robbers take their position against easy pickings like tourist spots, where the new visiting tourist may not be aware of the danger.
Similar to the warning signs in the busy places, there are two kinds of warning signs in bible, one not to steal and other how to avoid our things from being stolen.
The first warning sign is for all God’s children to stay from stealing (Deuteronomy 5:19). Stealing is not an attribute of God. Hence anyone who steals break the law and loses his fellowship with God. Can man rob God? According Malachi 3:8 the answer is yes, we do end up robbing God, if we are negligent about our tithes and offering. “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. - Malachi 3:8
The second warning sign is for those who get robbed. Jesus gave two perspective to this, one for earthly treasures and other for spiritual treasure.
Losing earthly treasures:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. – Matthew 6:19-20
Somebody said, only earthly treasure we will see in heaven is the treasure we give it to God for His glory. There is no way we can do money or property transfer from earth to heaven. We came without anything and would have to leave the world without anything. We all will lose our earthly treasures one day. King Solomon called it as meaningless.
18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 2:18,19
Losing Spiritual treasures:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. – John 10:10.
The above verse was addressed to Pharisees to convey the meaning, Jesus is the only way to salvation. He is the gate and who ever enters through him will be saved. Jesus Christ laid down his life to save the sheep under his care. Who ever surrenders his life to Jesus and hears his call will be protected from the plans of the thief.
The only way we could avoid getting robbed of our treasures is by gladly submitting everything to God. Whatever is outside the boundary of our submission has no guarantees and potential to get robbed. Jesus came to give life and life in abundance. Whatever is with Him is safe. Our own limitation in submission and its proportion decides the heaviness of the loss in the process of robing.
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