I do not have the right to take something that belongs to you. If I do, that’s stealing. Every law code in history protects property, condemns theft, and provides for damages. People everywhere recognize that stealing undercuts human relationships.
So robbing a bank, shoplifting, and unauthorized use of someone’s credit card number are out—even if the other person can afford to lose the money or may not miss it. Taking cutlery from a restaurant, linen from a hotel, or supplies from the office are also stealing. So are padding expense accounts, falsifying income-tax figures, and laundering insurance claims.
But stealing not only undercuts our relationship with our neighbor. It also harms our relationship with God. Isaiah 58 states that I may value my private property and enjoy the things I have worked for, but in the end, they are not just mine. They belong to God, who calls me to use what I have as a steward. If what I have is on trust from God, I must be content with what God places in my hands, and I must use my belongings for the sake of his kingdom, not simply for my family or myself.
That says something about what I give to the work of the Lord and how I use what I have to help people in need. When I already have enough for myself, I need to ask what I should be using or giving to help others.
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for good gifts I enjoy. If I have what belongs to others, or if I have be¬come insensitive to being a faithful steward, please press that on my heart. Amen.
我没有权使用属于你的东西，如果我这样做，我便是偷窃。历史上每一种法律制度必定会保障财产、惩罚偷窃，和赔偿损失的。来自任何地方的人都承认，偷窃会破坏人与人之间的关系。
所以，抢劫银行、入商店行窃、盗用信用卡号码，所有都不可行—— 即使对方负担得起损失的金钱或可能不介意，也不应该这样做。拿走餐厅的食具、酒店的床单枕套，或办公室的文具，都等于偷窃。滥报支出数目、以假数目报税，和假借名目索赔保险，也是偷窃。
偷窃不单破坏我们与别人的关系，它更损害我们与神的关系。以赛亚书58章说，我可以珍惜我拥有的财产和享受工作赚得的东西，但归根究底，这一切不单是属于我的，它们是属于神的，是祂安排我以管家的身分来使用我拥有的东西。我所有的既都是由神托付，神把甚么放在我手中，我也应该感到满足，我必须为祂的国的缘故使用我所有的，而不是单为我的家人和我自己。
这里教导我们，应为主的事工奉献甚么，和应如何运用我所有的去帮助有需要的人。我有的既已足够己用，我便需要去问：我应该用甚么和捐赠甚么来帮助别人呢？
祷告
主啊，感谢祢让我享受美好的恩赐。我若取了属于别人的东西，或我已渐渐忽略忠于管家的职分，求祢警戒我的心。阿们。