Introduction

In the final book of the Old Testament, the book of Malachi, God lays charges before the people of Israel. The people, in response, pleaded ignorance, asking God about these charges.

As an example, which sets up for today’s article, we look at the third chapter: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:8-10)

The question then goes to the reader. Have you stolen from God?

You Have Stolen Time

When we prioritize our life around worldly things, we steal time from God. Those who work a 40-hour week will utilize their Saturday to enjoy time with friends and family. Go on day trips, host cookouts in their backyard, or catch the latest film in the theater. Sunday then becomes the day to do nothing and go nowhere.

I’m sure there are those who will say, “Hey, even God took one day off.” Saturday is your one day off, if you’re going to use that excuse. Sunday should be set aside for God.

As the psalmist writes, I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 122:1) The apostle Paul writes, If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Try to give time to God. Daily bible reading would be a good start, then bible study can follow. Try to attend worship as often as possible. If you don’t spend time with God, He won’t spend time with you.

You Have Stolen Love

When we put material items ahead of God, we steal love from Him. For example, someone buys a cabin for weekends in the mountains and all of the focus is on the location, that’s stealing love from God. You spent all of your extra hours cleaning, painting, and decorating the cabin. You show that the cabin is more important than God.

After the return from exile, the Israelites had laid the foundation for the new temple and began work on it. Soon, word from the King came to them and said that they couldn’t build it anymore. The people then turned to work on their houses.

The word of the Lord came to them, through Haggai the Prophet, saying, “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.”’” Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:2-5)

It’s not sinful to own that cabin, but when the focus of love on it is more than on the house of God, you have stolen love from Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) And the apostle John wrote, For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3) How often have people declared their love for God but won’t keep His commandments?

You Have Stolen Money

When one buys a fancy new car to bring the family to worship then only puts five dollars in collection plate, you have stolen money from God. Again, it’s not sinful to own that new car, but when your contribution diminishes because of that car, then you lose your focus on the more needful things.

Looking, once again, at the example from Malachi, the Israelites were accused by God of stealing money. “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.” (Malachi 3:8-9)

Instead of decreasing your contribution, why not look at the rest of your budget and cut back from other places; even if it’s temporary. Better still, settle for a used car that still “looks fancy” so your money allotted for the offering plate doesn’t suffer.

As Paul write, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10) Again, put God first in these things.

You Have Stolen Worship

It’s not necessarily the lack of attendance in worship that you steal from Him. You also steal worship when you attend and just take up the spot on the bench. You become an audience member and not a participant. Refusing to sing, put money in the plate, or open your bibles during the lesson or bible class.

Many times, we quote the writer of Hebrews, And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Not only should you show up to worship, but you need to participate as well. Find out the lesson topic the night before, if possible, and study some scripture that goes along with it. You might be able to get a copy of the preacher’s outline for that lesson. Go through it thoroughly so you can understand what’s being preached. Search YouTube for ‘a cappella’ versions of songs so you might be able to sing them when they are selected.

Conclusion

Going back to the book of Colossians, Paul writes, Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5) When you covet all of the things listed above, your are stealing from God.

Jesus stated, in the Sermon on the Mount, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

When the love for God and His house comes first, the rest of it is rather simple. Make an effort to do better so that you are not stealing from God.