Time.......

So when is the right time to share your faith?

A friend of mine from high school died just this Monday, my first thought was did he have a relationship with his creator. Malachi addresses the church in such a way he says why have you withheld the tithe, ( Malachi 3:8 Amplified bible) thus robbing the house of God.

In my studies I have found in Jewish culture the commandment 'You should not steal' is not simply don't take what is not yours. I know what you’re thinking what does this have to do with my friends passing... Well I'm glad that you are still reading. You see within the Jewish culture having something and withholding it or not being generous with what you have is also thought of as stealing.

So along this line of thinking if you have a something that you know would be a blessing to someone and it is in your means to be able to give it and you withhold it then that is also stealing.

Think about it a culture where for 480 years of slavery the Israelites were treated by their oppressors as less than human if the Egyptians wanted something that was yours they took it.... God had to transform a culture and thinking, the commandment that you should not steal for the Israelite they did not think ‘oh man I shouldn't steal’, the freedom in this commandment was they would not have to worry about someone stealing from them.

Jesus said I have come to fulfill the law not to abolish it.... This speaks so loudly to me in that the Ten Commandments being freedom to the Israelite slave so much more is Jesus Christ freedom to every man.

Have you withheld a word of encouragement, or helping a co-worker even when it's not your responsibility, or even more with-held or held back when the opportunity to speak to someone about their salvation? You are the light to the world. Matthew 5:14

Ps. Jake Matthews