The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proberbs 15:27-33, “He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 Bright eyes gladden the heart; good news puts fat on the bones.
31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.”

Have you noticed how many names in the news are connected with theft? Politicians, sportsmen, actors, even pastors — “men of the cloth”? There seems to be no limit to what some will do for a mere monetary increase.

The only humorous aspect of these cravings lies in the manner of how some of them are caught. “Nobody will ever know,” they think; yet, that very thought belies their human ignorance. They would do well to listen to Solomon.

Solomon says, “Craving for dishonest gain brings trouble on a house…,” while “…hatred of bribery earns life.” Simultaneously, he notes, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). Still, stories abound of thieves who believed they would escape the next time.

Ananias and Sapphira lied about keeping back some of the money they had pledged to the LORD; and they paid with their lives (Acts 5:1ff)!

Still, the root of theft is not always about money. It’s the human ego that erroneously believes it is more intelligent than the Mind of Almighty God! Some, in fact, deny the very existence of God; yet, in the finality of all, those men lose.

When our minds are trained to focus on Jesus, and when we endeavor to live in His Word every day, we will avoid the thoughts and activities that run counter to His will. It is then that He will bestow upon us far more than we had thought to bestow upon ourselves. Trust Him and see!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom