Gunman robs Maryland churchgoers at evening service. BALTIMORE, Jan. 1 —A gunman burst into a church service Sunday evening and robbed several members of the congregation, authorities said. About 50 people were attending the service at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Bel Air when a man entered brandishing a handgun, the Harford County Sheriff's Office said. No injuries were reported.

How many times have you heard this passage from Exodus 20:15 ? "Thou shalt not steal.” How many do you know personally that violate this law? Today we see many trying to take the Bible out of all government and off the court house walls. But don't they understand that many of the laws of the land are written in accordance to Gods Laws, not only to Moses but also to The New Testament Church, under the Law of Grace and Mercy? The old saying,”you can lock out a thief”, has become null and void. If a man desires to steal there is no lock that will keep him out.

A lock is not ment for an unrighteous man but for the righteous. God established Government and Laws covering all aspects of its administration. Prisons today, as it was in the time of Abraham and Jesus, are full of thieves, some we call, "white”and some we call "Blue caller”, crimes. It is so easy for man to put a label on sin, calling it something else to make it sound better. But sin is sin and will be judged accordingly. Exodus 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

The repayment of theft was greatly noted in Scripture and the Laws were upheld. There was no doubt what the punishment was. Lev 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. Theft takes many forms, the one we associate with the most is, material goods, cars, money, jewelry, ect. But theft also comes in by stealth, con-men, liars, deceivers. Many times we are the victims of theft by buying something that others say works and then once we get it home we find out its broken and doesn't work, this is also theft by deception. Home repair that isn't done correctly is also theft by deception.

The list goes on and on. Weather these acts are criminally prosecuted or not, God knows and deals with it on His own terms and in His own time. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Sin is repaid by God. When a Child of the King is hurt by un-believers God deals with it Himself. Mark 9:42, And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. Pro 6:30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

(Clark states; Men do not despise a thief if he steal - Every man pities the poor culprit who was perishing for lack of food, and stole to satisfy his hunger; yet no law clears him: he is bound to make restitution; in some cases double, in others quadruple and quintuple; and if he have not property enough to make restitution, to be sold for a bondsman; ) No matter what the situation is, there is no justification for a thief. No law exonerates him from his actions. There is no excuse for theft, if a man is a believer in Christ.

All of mans needs will be met if He only believes. The Prophet put it this way; Psa 37:23-25; The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD u

pholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. "I not seen the righteous forsaken.”

These words are true. I've known many a Christian in need but the thought of stealing for food never entered into their mind, for as they needed, they received from God. Theft comes from greed and lust, covet-ness is another sin that plays a great part in theft. When man goes beyond what God has provided for Him and lust to have more, then theft becomes a reality. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus Said; Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Thieves are never satisfied by food and clothing, they desire what others have, not willing to work for the ability to buy what they want.

They pray off the unsuspecting and destroy not only their own soul but the trust of the victim for mankind. Luke 3:14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. Dis-contentment is another way of stealing. Look around you at the work place, do you know of people that are paid for working and most of their day is spent trying to avoid doing what they agreed to do? This is theft in deception and dis-contentment. When we agree to do a job for such amount of money, God holds us to that agreement, for we cannot hide from God. Lets read; Matthew 20:11-15; And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Here are words of Wisdom; John 10:10 The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (The theft of the soul.)

Romans 2:21, Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? (Hypocrisy in Service) Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. ( We work to give to others, Saint or Sinner.)

Mat 6:19-20. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Phi 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.end part 3. ars

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