STEWARDSHIP AND STEALING

It might seem strange to speak of human beings robbing the Lord. He is sovereign over all and owns the whole creation, so how then can it be said that a person could steal from Him? Yet in forming a covenant with the Israelites, our Creator established them as stewards over His bounty, responsible to enjoy and manage that which was rightfully theirs. They were not, however, permitted to keep for themselves that which did not belong to them, which is what they were doing when they kept the tithes and offerings for the temple and priests for themselves (Mal. 3:6–9).