Sermon: Shall Not Steal

Scripture Text: Exodus 20:1-15

Quotes for Reflection

Paul David Tripp, Redeeming Money
God created us to be dependent. He created us to follow his commands and to submit to his will. Real life and true freedom are found when we willingly and joyfully surrender to the One who created us, knows what we need, and rules what we could never control. But something else is vital to remember: we were never designed to put ourselves in the center of our world and make our lives all about us. We were never created to live for little more than our personal comfort, pleasure, happiness, and success. In God’s plan for us, we will never find the rest of heart that we all seek until we live according to the purpose and glory of the One who created us.

Kevin D. Young, The Ten Commandments
Have you ever noticed that Jesus is sometimes less “spiritual” than we might think? That doesn’t sound right, but here’s what I mean: we might think that Jesus would tell us, “Do you want possessions? Shame on you. Do you want security and safety? Shame on you. Why don’t you desire something more important?” He doesn’t do that, though. Instead, he taps into the desires of all human beings. We want to make sure that we have something that will last. We want to make sure that we have enough for the future. Jesus says, “Okay, I get that. Let me tell you how to really be happy: store up treasures in heaven!”

John Frame, Doctrine of the Christian Life
The biblical ideal is certainly not that we all become poor. Rather, it is, first, “godliness with contentment” (1 Tim. 6:6). The wisdom teacher recognizes that there are temptations in both wealth and poverty, so he asks God to give him just enough: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me” (Prov. 30:8; compare “our daily bread” as the Christian’s request in Matt. 6:11). But if God does give poverty, or riches, we must expect temptation and be ready to deal with it.

R. Kent Hughes, Set Apart: Calling a Worldly Church to a Godly Life

Every time I give, I declare that money does not control me. Perpetual generosity is a perpetual de-deification of money.

Application Questions

1. Why can our relationship to the material world become enslaving?

2. As a central aspect of worship, how can tithing deepen our relationship with God?

3. Within each of our vocations, God brings about opportunities to help those in need. How can Oaks Parish partner with you?