TOPIC: CAUGHT OR NOT, THE CURSE IS SURE
SCRIPTURE: With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. Genesis 31:32.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Even if a person is not caught while stealing, he or she is already liable to a curse by the act of stealing.
In life, most times, people who take what is not legally given to them do not live to enjoy those things. This is because what is not yours cannot add to your life; it cuts your life short.
Rachael was one Scriptural example of people who were negatively affected by taking things that were not theirs.
While Jacob was leaving the house of Laban, his father-in-law, with his wives and children, Rachel, his second wife, stole Laban’s idols.
Laban, realising that his idols were missing, began to pursue Jacob and his wives. When he caught up with them, he told Jacob that his idols were stolen.
In those days, idols were made with precious materials like gold. Probably, Rachel wanted the gold that was used to make the idols and stole them.
Jacob did not know that Rachel, his wife stole the idols and told his father-in-law:
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
Genesis 31:32.
Jacob cursed the person who stole the idols without knowing that it was his beloved wife. Then Laban began to search everyone and everywhere for his idols but Rachel hid them in the camel’s furniture and sat upon them. When she was asked to stand up in order to be searched, she refused and gave the excuse that the custom of women was upon her. Even though Rachael sat on the idols, and they were not found with her, the curse had already been inadvertently placed on her by her husband, Jacob.
Beloved, the lesson is, it is not a matter of whether or not you are caught while stealing; the consequences that follow the act of stealing cannot be averted whether or not you are seen or caught. So, even if a person is not caught while stealing, he or she is already liable to a curse by the act of stealing.
Therefore, even though Laban did not find the idol, a death sentence was already hanging on Rachael.
That will not be your portion. Therefore, desist from all forms of stealing.
REMEMBER THIS: Even if a person is not caught while stealing, he or she is already liable to a curse by the act of stealing.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Refuse to take what is not yours.
2. Work with your hands to legally acquire what you need, with the help of God.
3. By all means, avoid the temptation of stealing.
PRAYER: Lord, I ask for the grace to remain contented with what I have. Deliver me from the temptation of stealing, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: The Tragedy of Evil Money.
QUOTE: Your future is guaranteed when you make up your mind never to take or keep what does not belong to you.
Culled from the book “21 Foolish Things People Do” by Dr Paul Enenche.
DAILY READING: Exodus 26-30.
AMAZING FACT: The female of all known species of eagles is larger than the male.
DECLARATION/WORD: May the mercy of God speak for you for every previous action of taking what is not rightfully yours in Jesus Name.
