"You shall not steal."
Our new president speaks with some pride about his ability to make "deals." I guess that's a part of the world we live in. But is deal making necessarily a good thing? Not according to Luther. To take advantage of another in some "deal" is the equivalent to stealing from him or her. Have you ever felt like you've been part of an unfair deal? You've paid more for something than it was really worth? You ended up buying some piece of merchandise of poor quality? Have you ever been the one to make the deal, knowing that you were not being truthful about what you were offering? All of this breaks the seventh commandment, "You shall not steal." There are many ways to steal from another, not just taking someone property. As people of faith, called to love one another, we need to reject stealing from others in all its forms. Instead, we are called to "help them to improve and protect their income and property." That's the kind of deal that is pleasing to God.
Even though I agree, I'm sad to see our President demeaned in a devotion. Another practical example would have also been effective. I may think that I've never stolen anything...but I probably have. The prayer in "Free Indeed" is good: "God, tear down the walls of fear we build around us. Jesus, bridge our divides."
ReplyDelete