Will a Man Rob God?
T.D. Roberts
Many of us hate to owe anything. We hate to pay monthly. We regret the interest payments on top of the debt. Sometimes we even hate to owe a debt of thanks to others for a kind deed or helpful comment. Could this reluctance to owe effect my religion?
What do I owe God? When Jesus was asked about the great commandment He said, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). Doesn’t that set the tone for the proper relationship between God and me? Paul said essentially, “love God or be accursed” (1 Corinthians 16:22). Surely we owe the deepest love to God.
As we consider loving God think about robbery. Robbery is a terrible crime. None of us would want to be classified as a robber especially by God. However, Malachi records a time when God said, “You have robbed Me … in tithes and offerings” (Mal 3:8). Probably the Israelites had not properly given of their money or animals for the service and worship of God. God called them robbers! Yet the Israelites had been blessed as much or more than many people of history, and surely had plenty of tithes and offerings for giving to God.
The above incident brings forth the modern day question, “Could I rob or owe God today?” Such would surely be a tragedy!
Consider my contribution of money on Sunday. I should carefully think about, plan, and intend to worship God in my giving. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 stresses purposing in our hearts. Do I purpose and plan how much I give? Further, I should also increase my giving as my finances increase. Did I increase my giving after the last raise in pay from my employer? Surely I wouldn’t want God to call me a robber!
Consider the time I spend in worship of God. Most Christians try to make at least one service on Sunday so as to at least partake of the Lord’s Supper. However, careful thought about the love of God reminds me that He gave His Son to suffer and bleed and die for me and for my sins. Without that sacrifice I would be totally lost and condemned by my sins to eternal punishment. Due to God’s love for me, I now have the opportunity to look forward to an eternity in Heaven. Doesn’t God deserve all the worship I can give Him? Shouldn’t I be present and participate at both services on Sunday as well as Wednesday night services? If I use almost all of my time on me haven’t I robbed God of worship time that He truly deserves?
Consider the time I spend helping others and teaching the gospel to the lost of the world. Often my week is mainly spent doing things that I want to do. I go where I want to go, do things that are interesting to me, and enjoy myself as much as I can. Somehow helping and teaching others, especially those in the world, is secondary to enjoying my things and myself. Jesus said, “what do you do more than others” when He talked about how we treat our neighbors and our brethren in Matthew 5:43-47. Jesus’ statement brings forth a most penetrating question to me also. What do I do more than others? How would God classify the use of my time? How much time do I spend serving Him? Would God consider me a robber of time?
Luke described a particular depressing happening in the life of Jesus in Luke 17:12-19. He met ten lepers! (How desperate and terrible would you feel if you had contracted leprosy?) He healed them. But 90 percent of these men were not thankful. Could this also be true of me? How thankful am I in prayer to God? Daily? Weekly? Once a month? Surely I wouldn’t want God to call me an ungrateful robber of thankfulness.
Remember, a person who loves God does not rob Him of giving, worship, time spent in His service, or thanksgiving. Believe it. God said it in His book.