The Omaha guide., 1946-08-31

Labor Day tomorrow And much
IN TIE thinking Of all America win
De the right division Of the fruits
OF investment q time and money.
Property rights are fundamental
Gods word teaches US the proper
attitude toward our own rights and
the rightsN0f others; namely. hon
esty' yes. Just plain old-fashioncd
honesty.
IN such a time. the believer in
Christ needs 10 be doubly vigilant
lest he accommodate his own stand
ards n honesty 10 those Of the world.
l. Honest in Purpose CExod. 20:I5).
we cannot tolerate anything il
word or deed That can be regarded
rs stealing what belongs 70 another.
The very commandment agains:
stealing implies that men have a
right 20 that which they have made.
earned Or saved.
i 70 p had any property rights
there could be no stealing. Some or
our modern political and social isms
deny such rights. but their reason
ing rs clearly not biblical OF Chris
tan.
Thou shalt not steal" forbids ev-
cry kind ~ theft, and this includes
more than robbery or ordinary
stealing tsee Lev l9.11-l3).
Il relates 10 every kind Of false
dealing with another, such as op-
preston or the Withholding Of Just
wages. That too. is stealing in
Gods sight.
Perhaps we ought 10 be more
specific and apply the truth to our
own day. Stealing includes such
things as loahng on ones job. Dor
rowing money from the cash draw
er. taking goods from the stock with
which n is working. stealing an
other mans sermon and preaching
u as ones own. lifting material out
OF another mans book without cred
H. contracting debts which one can
never pay. using false weights and
measures. adulterating food or 9TH
eT material. watering milk for
sale. selling worthless stock, dodg-
ing taxes OF DIns 70 the tax as
SCISSOR. or using a slug instead Of
a nickel in the telephone to escape
proper payment.
One might add gambling (Which
Is taking another mans property by
skin OF by chance). making an un-
duly large profit on the labor Of
another. making money out cf the
sorrows and failures Of others, etc.
To be honest means to be fair. and
that has broad implications.
III. Humble in Practice prov. 80:
I'D.
II may sound a little odd 10 hear
this man pray that he should be de-
hvered firm prosperity. To ask to
be kept from poverty is certainly
10 make a wise request. but 10 be
delivered from riches. why that's
certainly not sensible. So reasons
the world. but as usual, it is entire
" wrong.
Experience has demonstrated
that the man who has at abundance
OF good things usually becomes self
Satisfied. assuming that he deserves
the credit for his a~fluence. Ne for
gets God. and what had beeA a good
and useful life is soon d~estxCJed.
on the other hand. II "a = e that
extreme poverty tends 50 break
fln.r-~ q wDnwr- -~--r. W~s~Ls-- L=-
family starve is not conducive to
honesty If a man caR lay his hands
on something 10 save them,
whether 1t be his or not. We do net
Justify stealing at any time. but we
can wen understand that starvation
can turn IN mind q q normal man
into abnormal channels.
III Heavenly il SsasSe Csssll
6.25-28l.
Tho Bible Is concerned J-ost On
tircly with life on this earth. Il tells
U very LITTLE about heaven except
how 10 20 there. But Cand here is
the important point for US Just now
D. does give Us laws from heaven
for life on earth. Our life here, cur
attitude toward property. is to be
heavenly in prineiple.
We are not - be anxious Cths
correct translation Of take no
thought" W.. Is. n. 81 about our
life. about food. raiment and other
necessary things. Proper fore
thought Is an right. but worry?
Never
How shall these things be BRO
vided7 God viii provide. Consider
the birds. Do they have nervous
breakdOwns about where their food
and shelter are TO come from? They
cannot ever pray and they are not
able to work. and yet God feeds
them.
Consider the glory Of the flowers
OF the field. for not even a king can
dress as they. The Lord does it.
Are We not much be than
they"
What about the future? It is in
Gods hands, and even il it were
IN cur hands what could we do with
Il! Even tomorrow with its needs.
us blessings, its joys and its sor-
rows IS not here yet. and whee il
does come there viii come with il
Gods gracious provision ". 34.