Thieves

Many people these days resort to all kinds of measures to protect themselves and their possessions from thieves. Security companies are big business and so is the insurance industry. They promote their businesses by cultivating fear into the minds of the public, with bad things that can or may happen. They do so through pictures and stories of great losses to individuals and/or families. Most people want to protect themselves, their money and their things. I used to think this way too. Besides, if someone borrowed from a lending institution of some kind (which many people do), they are required to secure the principle with insurance for protection for such things as cars, boats, mortgages, business loans, etc.

After we lost our house back in 1988—because of borrowing and foolish investments—we made the decision to trust God from then on and live debt free. Which meant everything we would purchase would be paid in cash. Therefore, in the beginning most of the items we acquired were not very expensive. Over time we learned to trust God in other areas as we believed in his promises and saw that he is faithful. He has continued to bless us with more than we ever imagined, and we have continued to trust him.

There was an incident that happened two years after we first began to trust God. A thief broke into our car while we were on vacation at the fabulous San Diego Zoo, with our nine year old daughter, Shannon. We were near the end of a wonderful week, having taken our daughter to several other tourist locations in California, including Disneyland. I had been instructing our family about God's faithfulness, blessings and protection.

Our trip was even paid for by a unique blessing from an insurance company. Their client's child accidentally backed a car into the side of our station wagon a month earlier. The company gave us a check for the damages, and we could fix the damage or do whatever we wanted with the money. We chose to use the money for a nice family vacation in California. Leaving the Seattle area, we headed for the Redwoods in Northern California for our first stop, with the slightly damaged fender.

When we got back to our car, after a day with the animals at the zoo, we realized that our car had been broken into. Shannon felt that God had failed us. And at first, so did I. That is, until I had time to think about it. Our car was not damaged by the thief who gained entrance, and the money in the glove box was never touched, which seemed strange at first. We saw that certain things had been moved and eventually realized that my wife's handbag was missing that she had hid on the backseat floor, covered with some clothes. The thing that upset our daughter the most was that the thief had finished eating the rest of her favorite cookies. (He was apparently a hungry thief with a sweet tooth.) With the extra money that was in the bag now gone, we had to cut our trip a day short and get help from a family we had been staying with in the Los Angeles area.

We prayed and forgave the thief, then asked God to return the handbag and important items. The bag was found by a tourist and returned to my parents home the next day. They had seen the man throw the handbag in a trash can, so they retrieved it and called my folks from some ID they found in the bag. God does answer prayer. And the only thing missing was a hundred dollar bill and a last book of food stamps. The Lord had indicted earlier we were not to be on food stamps any longer, but we had procrastinated. We repented, once we understood our mistake.

Another time, we were at an art show that I had sold my paintings at for seven years in a row. It was my best show and I wanted to give God my best, when our church announced that they were going to build their new church with cash. I told my wife what I wanted to do and she agreed. At the end of the 10 day show, I had gone to get the car and trailer to load up my remaining paintings.

I had left my wife to watch the booth with all of our stuff, when a thief came in from behind her and stole the handbag with all our sales from under the table. She saw him leaving out the back and gave chase, calling on God for help as she ran after him. When the thief and my wife crossed the street in traffic, a young man got out of his car to help in the pursuit, but they gave up when the thief met up with friends in a dark wooded area. He didn't think it was wise to pursue any further.

She thanked the young man for willing to help in the chase. Then she return to the show and told a policeman what had happened. They both went back to the place where she had last seen the thief. There all over the ground, they recovered her handbag and her things that were in it, including all our sales papers and checks. By the time I got back to the art show,it was all over. We loaded the paintings and headed home, grateful for God's protection over the whole situation.

God help us recover all but a few hundred dollars in cash. There had been over $5,000 in sales, thankfully most of the sales that year were in checks and credit card purchases. I was also very grateful that my young beautiful wife wasn't hurt and I told her that she was very brave. The thief tried to steal a gift we intended for God. Yet, God was faithful to the very end.

However, even if there had been more money or other items stolen, we would still have a responsibility. First, is to forgive. Next, is to give thanks in all things, for this is God's will concerning us. (1 Thess. 5:18) Then, expect restoration in God's timing and way. And most of all, ask God what else you should do.

The Lord also reminded me, after the theft at the zoo, of one of His teachings. Jesus stating that if someone takes something from you, that you should offer your coat as well. (Mt. 5:38-41). This lesson shows us that there may be thieves at times in our lives; and how we respond to these people should reflect God's heart.

Remember the story of David, when he was out fighting the Philistines? Another enemy came into his camp and took his two wives and the wives of his men and all their possessions while they were gone. The Bible tells us that when they had returned to their camp and saw what happened they wept. Then it says that David strengthened himself in the Lord his God and inquired what he should do and then did it. The end result was that everything was restored and more. (1 Sam.30:1-20) We should do the same when we face such circumstances in our lives.

Today many people have a lot of possessions, and they often place too great a value on those temporal things. However, our focus should be more on eternal things. Many people need to lighten their load so that if God were to ask them to move, or give some or all of it away, it would be simple task and not a major hassle or effort. If the possessions haven't been used for a while or been stored away for years, maybe it's time to get rid of it. People can live with a lot less than what they think they need. Ask God what you should do with your possessions; maybe its time to give to some needy people, Goodwill or the Salvation Army. It's a good way to start lighting the load; so are garage sales if you really need some money. God will also bless you for it.

Remember, life is not about acquiring things, but giving your time and possessions to help others. God promises to provide everything we need and to restore all things that have been lost or stolen, when we place our trust in Him. "Restoration to my intentions," is the way God put it and that's always better than anything we could imagine.

My wife and I have made a commitment to trust God to protect us and the things he has entrusted to us. And whatever has been lost or stolen, he has promised to restore in his time and way. His is the faithful one and he never lies. Besides, Jesus Christ is our greatest possession and no one can steal Him from us. Remember:

"Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart."