Ephesians 3:14-19 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
Tthat ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth,
and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now, there’s an issue in the lives of many people. See this: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth—Ephesians 4:28. There is absolutely no place in a believer’s life for taking what belongs to another, not even if it is public property.
Believers who allow this issue to go unresolved in their lives are, in fact, leaving a door open for the devil to walk right in and set up camp where he can put all sorts of wild and evil devices into operation inside the one in whom he has this ground. Even if you think someone has more than they need, and if you have a need that can be met by stealing something they have, you’re still playing into the hands of the devil. Paul discovered this principle about having our needs met—and I can tell you it works! He said, But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus—Philippians 4:19.
Years ago I felt I had an overwhelming need. I poured out my complaint before the Lord, and He heard me. He said to me, “What does My Word say?” I knew right away what He meant and told Him of Philippians 4:19.
He then said to me, “Then, why don’t you thank me?”
I did, simply on the basis of what His Word declares. That night a man came to me asking me to forgive him. He said, “The Lord told me to give this to you last night and I was disobedient.” He then handed me the exact amount I needed. God abideth faithful!
DEAR FATHER, it has been a difficult thing for me to overcome worrying about how my needs will be met. Sometimes I’ve given in to taking what does not belong to me. As of this day, I renounce even the thought of ever doing this again. I am ready to believe in Your faithfulness. I will demonstrate this by becoming someone who gives to others. I’ll be a giver, not a taker.
—I Cor 1:9; I Cor 10:13; I Thes 5:24; II Thes 3:3; II Tim 2:13
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