Hello Everyone,
We are still looking at the 8th commandment "You shall not steal". The question could be asked by some "Why should I be honest?"
The number one reason is...I am being watched by God.
People steal because they think they can get away with it, and they think nobody is going to know about it. If you knew when you stole something (like towels in the hotel) that everybody was going to know about it, would you steal them anyway? Most people would answer "no" to that one.
So Satan comes along and he says: "Nobody's going to know. Besides you owe it to yourself, that employer is ripping you off and should be paying you more. It is okay to take those supplies home. It is okay to take that equipment...nobody is ever going to know. Nobody will ever find out." Wrong!
The most important person knows...that is God. He is the one you're going to have to give an account to, not anybody else.
Job 34:21-22 "His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step. 22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide.
Nothing escapes God's view. I may fool other people, I may fool the government, I may fool the insurance company when I turn in a dishonest claim, but I am not fooling God. He is the guy I've got to report to.
One day I will stand before Him and give an account. I will explain to God why I stole something that wasn't mine, and why I did steal when He said clearly don't do it. That's when it's going to count. I'm being watched by God.
If you're a parent, you're not only being watched by God, you are being watched by your kids. Values are caught not taught. What is my lifestyle communicating to my kids? Pro. 20:7 LB "It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father."
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is integrity. Having a parent of integrity is a great, great blessing.
I'm being watched by unbelievers. The Bible says, "Let your light shine so people can see your good works and praise your Father." There are people you work with who may not like your personality and they may disagree with your faith, but they better respect your integrity.
We are being watched let's do the right thing.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Prospering with Integrity Part 2
Hello Everyone,
This afternoon we are looking at three other ways that people can steal.
1. By defrauding or deceiving the government.
"The authorities are working for God. Pay what you owe them; pay your personal and property taxes." Tax avoidance is good stewardship. There is no reason you should overpay on taxes or not plan and try to maximize your money. There is nothing wrong with being smart with your money, but tax evasion is illegal. God says it's stealing, don't do it.
If you are on food stamps or disability, but are able to work...work! If you are shacking up and will not get married because the government will decrease your food stamps or welfare, that is not only stealing...that is fornication!
2. By defrauding companies
Copyright does not mean "copy it right." People who write music and record CD’s make their living from them. Illegally copying these things is stealing!
If you have cable or channels that you are not paying for, that is stealing!
If you go to food banks or ministries that help people in need, and you don’t need really need the help...you are stealing.
3, By defrauding the Lord.
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you ask, "How do we rob you, God?' By withholding tithes and offerings!"
The Bible teaches tithing is a tenth or ten percent. The first ten percent of all I make goes back to Him in gratitude, because I owe Him everything.
I wouldn't have anything if it weren't for God.
The first ten percent of all I make is to go back to God. He could have said
twenty or fifty percent, but He just said ten. God says if I am paying my bills before I pay the Him out of gratitude for what He's done, that is robbing Him.
We can prosper with integrity when we put God first in all our lives.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
This afternoon we are looking at three other ways that people can steal.
1. By defrauding or deceiving the government.
"The authorities are working for God. Pay what you owe them; pay your personal and property taxes." Tax avoidance is good stewardship. There is no reason you should overpay on taxes or not plan and try to maximize your money. There is nothing wrong with being smart with your money, but tax evasion is illegal. God says it's stealing, don't do it.
If you are on food stamps or disability, but are able to work...work! If you are shacking up and will not get married because the government will decrease your food stamps or welfare, that is not only stealing...that is fornication!
2. By defrauding companies
Copyright does not mean "copy it right." People who write music and record CD’s make their living from them. Illegally copying these things is stealing!
If you have cable or channels that you are not paying for, that is stealing!
If you go to food banks or ministries that help people in need, and you don’t need really need the help...you are stealing.
3, By defrauding the Lord.
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you ask, "How do we rob you, God?' By withholding tithes and offerings!"
The Bible teaches tithing is a tenth or ten percent. The first ten percent of all I make goes back to Him in gratitude, because I owe Him everything.
I wouldn't have anything if it weren't for God.
The first ten percent of all I make is to go back to God. He could have said
twenty or fifty percent, but He just said ten. God says if I am paying my bills before I pay the Him out of gratitude for what He's done, that is robbing Him.
We can prosper with integrity when we put God first in all our lives.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
Prospering with Integrity Part 1
Hello Everyone,
I want to start out this week’s e-votion with a question. Is there such a thing as “PROSPERING WITH INTEGRITY?”
We have been looking at how to build strong family values by using the Ten Commandments. We are on the 8th Commandment this week -- "You shall not steal".
HOW DO WE STEAL?
It is amazing the number of ways a human being can think up to steal or rip off somebody else. I've listed seven but there are a lot more I could have put down. Today we are looking at four of the ways people steal.
1. Deceiving customers.
Three thousand years ago this was a problem. Amos 8:5, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?" skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales,
That sounds pretty current. When a repairman makes unnecessary repairs, a doctor makes unnecessary tests, a salesman skips over the fine print, when you sell a car and don't tell the problems with it that's called stealing.
2. By defrauding employers.
Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
I'm not just talking about employee theft here where you pad your expense account, take home supplies, equipment or merchandise. I'm talking about when you waste time on the job.
The Bible calls that stealing. If somebody's paying you for your time and you: come in late, leave early, take three coffee breaks and a long lunch there isn't a whole lot of time left. God says that's stealing. Don't do it.
If something is in the break room or refrigerator, and you didn’t pay for it...somebody did! If you eat it or drink it that is stealing!
3. By delaying payments.
Lev. 19:13 “‘Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.” 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
If you've got some employees, suppliers or a friend, and you owe them some money don't say, "The check is in the mail," do it now.
4. By defaulting on loans.
Ps. 37:21 "The wicked man borrows and never pays back." A lot of people have no intention of paying back. The worst loans are made to friends and relatives. This applies to anything, not just bankruptcy, it is anything borrowed. Tools, skies, punch bowls, records, videos, etc. -- any of that kind of stuff.
What is in your garage that you need to return to someone? If you have a lot of
Start today by checking out how you deal with customers, your employer, people you owe, or loans you may owe.
And start today by making it right.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
I want to start out this week’s e-votion with a question. Is there such a thing as “PROSPERING WITH INTEGRITY?”
We have been looking at how to build strong family values by using the Ten Commandments. We are on the 8th Commandment this week -- "You shall not steal".
HOW DO WE STEAL?
It is amazing the number of ways a human being can think up to steal or rip off somebody else. I've listed seven but there are a lot more I could have put down. Today we are looking at four of the ways people steal.
1. Deceiving customers.
Three thousand years ago this was a problem. Amos 8:5, "When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?" skimping the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales,
That sounds pretty current. When a repairman makes unnecessary repairs, a doctor makes unnecessary tests, a salesman skips over the fine print, when you sell a car and don't tell the problems with it that's called stealing.
2. By defrauding employers.
Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
I'm not just talking about employee theft here where you pad your expense account, take home supplies, equipment or merchandise. I'm talking about when you waste time on the job.
The Bible calls that stealing. If somebody's paying you for your time and you: come in late, leave early, take three coffee breaks and a long lunch there isn't a whole lot of time left. God says that's stealing. Don't do it.
If something is in the break room or refrigerator, and you didn’t pay for it...somebody did! If you eat it or drink it that is stealing!
3. By delaying payments.
Lev. 19:13 “‘Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.” 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
If you've got some employees, suppliers or a friend, and you owe them some money don't say, "The check is in the mail," do it now.
4. By defaulting on loans.
Ps. 37:21 "The wicked man borrows and never pays back." A lot of people have no intention of paying back. The worst loans are made to friends and relatives. This applies to anything, not just bankruptcy, it is anything borrowed. Tools, skies, punch bowls, records, videos, etc. -- any of that kind of stuff.
What is in your garage that you need to return to someone? If you have a lot of
Start today by checking out how you deal with customers, your employer, people you owe, or loans you may owe.
And start today by making it right.
All For Jesus
Pastor Phil
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