SEP 10

Exodus 22:1-9
Memorise Ephesians 4:28
“but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good”

Having read all that you have about the 8th commandment, your heart may be pricked at this point, guilty for past sins of stealing. Now we wonder and ask: what if we have stolen in the past? Is there any way to make up for our sins?

The Bible records various occasions where the crime of stealing took place. Exodus 22:1-9 gives a list of detailed instructions as to how to deal with each scenario. Whilst many of these laws are no longer practically applicable , however the teachings still apply. Basically what is required here is restitution, where you restore to the person or party whom you have stolen from more than what you have taken. This is what Zacchaeus did after he was saved. Prior to receiving Christ, he was a chief tax collector, who through corrupt means had stolen much from the people. However when he repented of his sin, he realised how terribly he had broken the 8th commandment in the past, and now resolved to keep it. Therefore he declared, “Half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8).

Practically, what does that mean for us? Well if you are guilty of any such sins, you must come clean and confess them, and if possible return anything that you have stolen before or make restitution for it. This would include items that you had borrowed in the past but have forgotten to return them. If you still have any pirated software or media in your possession, be quick to delete them straightaway, or pay for them if you want to continue using it. As a Christian, we cannot with a clear conscience continue to use things that are stolen, can we? We must realise the importance of a good Christian testimony that is beyond reproach. If we have realised that we have stolen from God, in terms of not serving enough, or giving enough to Him, then we should rush to make amends, to devote more of our time, energy and possessions to Him. For indeed we can never repay God enough, for all that He has done for us.

Thought: True repentance also means making restitution for all the sins that I had committed in the past.
Prayer: Lord, help me to take an honest look at my life, and see if there be any wrongs that must be made right, in both my relationship with others and also with You.