Topic: Ask For Permission! [Wednesday July 29, 2015]
Memorise: Thou shalt not steal. – Exodus 20:15
Read: Genesis 49:3-4 (KJV)
3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Bible In One Year: Ezra 8:24-10:44; John 6:25-51
MESSAGE:
One commandment that God gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness, which is still very relevant to us today, is the commandment not to steal (Exodus 20:15). Stealing can occur physically, in the realm of the soul and spiritually. Physical stealing can further be classified as stealing from man and stealing from God (Malachi 3:8). To steal is to take another person’s property without their consent or approval, particularly with the intention of not returning it. As a growing child, teenager or youth, if you take your parent’s money without their consent, you are a thief. Some youths will say “Whatever belongs to my father belongs to me. I should be free to take any of his things whenever I like.” No sir! Your parents have plans for all that they have. Taking their things without their approval can destabilise some of those plans. It can also inflict pain, sorrow and untold hardship on your parents. A child who is well brought up will ask his or her parents for what they want and give them the opportunity to approve or deny the request. The right rule to live by is: anything your parents are not ready to give you must not be taken. If you take it, you are a thief and not better than any robber out there.
Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, slept with Bilhah his father’s concubine on his father’s bed (Genesis 35:22). According to their tradition, after his father’s death, he could have inherited her as the firstborn, but he could not wait for his time. Jacob kept quiet about this when he heard it. Reuben did not realise that Jacob knew, and he did not restitute. Eventually, when it was time to receive the generational blessing, Reuben was cursed and his destiny was thwarted (Genesis 49:3-4). A curse awaits children who steal from their parents. Zechariah 5:3 says:
“Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.”
Even the prodigal son knew well enough to ask for his share of his father’s property before spending it (Luke 15:12). Today, some children either neglect their parents or fast-track their death so that they can have faster access to their wealth. Doing such is murder and robbery! No doubt, the blessing will surely turn into a curse. Children, as long as you live with your parents, totally submit to them like Jesus did. Never take anything that belongs to them without their willing consent. Also, do not threaten them to accede your request.
Action Point: Return all that you have taken without the consent of the rightful owners from today.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
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