Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:14.
“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:14.
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Do not think of excuses to steal such as “They do not need it.” or “I will do better with it than they will do with it.”
Do not covet what belongs to your neighbor. It is a sin itself (tenth commandment), and coveting will also tempt you to steal it.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7.
Such “wisdom” comes from below.
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” James 3:14-16.
Q. 110. What doth God forbid in the eighth commandment?
A. God forbids not only those thefts and robberies which are punishable by the magistrate; but He comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbor, whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise, false coins, usury, or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness, all abuse and waste of His gifts.
Q. 111. But what doth God require in this commandment?
A. That I promote the advantage of my neighbor in every instance I can or may, and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others; further also that I faithfully labor, so that I may be able to relieve the needy. Heidelberg Catechism.
But, there is hope!
There is wisdom from above.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.
There is the Holy Spirit.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. … But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:14 and 22-24.
In Paul’s Farewell Address to Ephesus, his last words were: “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:32-35.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 