Theft

Christmas Eve, our church was robbed. A multitude of emotions ran through me when I read about it on a posting. Shock, fear, anger – then sadness. The thieves have stolen from God.

Have they not read:

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 5:1-2 KJV)

They only kept a part. Just as the thieves only took a part of our church.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (Acts 5:3-4 KJV)

Lied to God, stole from God. Which would you rather do? Especially when we’ve been told:

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:30-31 KJV)

We know that, and know what happened to Ananias for his lies:

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. (Acts 5:5 KJV)

I do not believe the thieves today will fall down dead when confronted with their crime. I do fear that they will end their lives on earth without God and enter an eternal death – unless they change. They’ve left the narrow path:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13-14 KJV)

The thieves have chosen destruction. They have committed a crime against the community that can land them in jail. Many have done so and missed out on opportunities of growth and love. They’ve traded a portion of their life for material things that are valueless. They have earned the distrust of a congregation, but earned nothing worthwhile.

I would not protect them, but I do pray for them. I pray that God will soften their hearts and they will understand how they’ve erred in disrespecting His house. I pray they will return to the church, attend a service, hear the message God has for them and come to know His love for them.

I have Him in my heart, my mind and I love Him. They need Him so very much. Please, pray for them.