I read recently, an artice about Embezzling. It asked, “Are you an embezeler?”
To Embezzle: to appropriate fraudulently to one’s own use, as money or property entrusted to one’s care. (Dictionary.com)
Normally, when I think of embezzle, I think of high financial officers or corporate fiascos. But, the hard-hitting point of the article was, do I embezzle from God and/or do I embezzle from my employer?
Embezzle From God
Do I take God’s glory for my own? Do I take His gifts and services for granted? Do I take my talents at my own credit? Do I take encouragements to my profit?
When someone says, “Good job playing the piano this morning,” do I thank God?
When my husband commends me on accomplishing my list of tasks, do I allow that God entrusts me the time to do such lists? Or do I think I have acheived it on my own willpower?
When someone says, “You are always optomistic,” do I confess, not by my strength and not always.
When people say, “It’s inspiring to see what you can do for God,” do I admit, “By God’s grace!” ?
When a friend says, “That’s a great idea,” and I know it’s not my own, but came by prayer and reading, do I share the source?
In any given day, I am allowed so many opportunities to turn praise and thoughts to God, and yet so often I fall back on my own personality and strengths!
The Bible warns us of planning the future, without giving credit that God controls it.
Embezzle from Work
The other thought, is have I embezzled from work? It does not have to be monitarily….
- Have you consistently arrived late to work or use work time for other activities? You are embezzling time.
God asks us, as Christians, to set an example in speech, in life, in love, and in purity. It includes making sure you’re not an embezzler, of any sort. God wants us to be honest, trustworthy, and of noble character!
We can Step up to the Fire/Stand for the Truth, when we make a difference by not embezzling.
To catch up on the other posts, click the Tag “Step Into the Fire.”