I used to be a total kleptomaniac. I can't count how many small items I have taken through the years, from jewelry to clothes to candy, etc.. In fact, I had such a reputation for it that when a friend of mine and I would go shopping, she would go around and slyly point out items that she wanted, and then I'd come around and swipe them for her.
How dumb of me. How selfish.
In recent years, that has turned around 180ยบ. Not long ago in the checkout line at WalMart, I asked the cashier to ring up my Pepsi twice. When she asked why, I told her that the last time I came to WalMart I grabbed a Pepsi out of the cooler while waiting in line and drank it, intending to ring it up with my groceries ... but I forgot; it wasn't until I got home late that night I realized I hadn't included it in my purchase!! Basically, I stole it without meaning to!! So this time I would ring up the Pepsi twice and it would cover it. The cashier stared dumbfounded at me. She asked me three times if I was sure I wanted to ring it up twice. She'd never heard of anyone doing this. Why would I not want to pay now for a Pepsi I took home without paying for it before? Was my soul really worth so little??
So here's what I was thinking about recently: doesn't it make more sense to steal something REALLY BIG as opposed to stealing something worth a few bucks? I mean, think of it this way: What is the price of your soul? If Satan dangled in front of your nose an abandoned briefcase with 3 million dollars in it, would you take it? What about if you knew you could get away with it? What about stealing a car - would you ever consider committing Grand Theft Auto? Most of us would say no. What about slipping a Snickers bar in your pocket on the way out of the store? What about charging a customer a bit more than you know your product is worth, or doing dishonest business?
Before I go any farther let me clarify one thing: if I steal something, that doesn't mean I'm eternally condemned. What condemns me is being outside of Christ. Similarly, if I stop stealing, I'm not suddenly going to heaven. Only those "in Christ" are in the kingdom of God ... not those who do or don't do a certain checklist of actions. Yet we are told repeatedly that thieves have no place in the kingdom of God. Does it say only thieves who steal large amounts? Nope. Stealing a candy bar or supplies from your employer counts the same eternally as embezzling millions of dollars from Enron. Dishonest is dishonest; the size of the lie doesn't matter.
So the next time you're tempted to keep the few extra bucks that the cashier handed you by accident, or when you're tempted to use company time or resources for personal use, or to slip something in your pocket or purse without paying for it, ask yourself this: Are you really worth SO little? Is the price of your soul so cheap? Would you trade a trustworthy reputation for $5? Certainly you think more highly of yourself than that.
I believe wholeheartedly that Satan is active day and night, searching for souls to devour. He sees our weaknesses and sees what works to get us off track. Why would he bother leaving a briefcase with $3M in it in front of you, when he knows you've already sold out for a $8 pair of earrings? When you steal from your boss? By falling for those cheap tricks, you show Satan, the world, and God just how little you value your own soul.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that stealing ANYthing is worth it. In fact, I don't believe that there is anything on this earth worth your soul. Many have heard the questions, "What does it gain a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what would a man give in exchange for his soul?" So you could acquire this whole entire world and it still wouldn't be enough to justify the price of your soul. How much less, then, a candy bar or pirated music?
What is your soul worth?
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