Pick up any newspaper, go online and read any wire service, or turn on a televisions news channel and you will soon see and hear a story about robbery.
Whether it’s high officials in the government or a young man at a convenience store, the motive is the same, to take what doesn’t belong to you, by force if necessary.
Robbery makes the victim feel vulnerable and the more cautious. It is a violation of the most basic rights of life and our American freedoms.
It goes against the very liberties that our founder fathers wanted so badly, for all of us to have in this country, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Robbery takes these things away.
Is it robbery to not take something?
Let’s say someone comes over to your house and mows the lawn and as you go to pay them they refuse.
Is that robbery?
Paul said, “Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?” 2 Cor 11:7
Was it sinful for Paul to preach in Corinth without being paid? It was sinful only on the part of the Corinthians that perhaps allowed this to happen because they offered him nothing.
To add to the shame he said, “I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.” 2 Cor 11:8
At one time I would refuse any type of payment from anyone. I struggled with it, not wishing to offend them for their kind offer but not wishing to take their money seeing that I already have a job and am sufficient.
This habit stopped one day when my wife told me I was robbing them of the happiness of giving to me; robbing them of their blessing.
I never had thought of it that way and I surely didn’t want to be a thief.
So if someone offers you something, even if they look like they need it more, take it and let God bless.
God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Cor 9:7-8