Would a man ...?

Is there something in mankind that would be willing to steal from The Lord God Almighty? Unfortunately, the answer is, "Yes!" The Scripture teaches that the heart of man "is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" [Jer. 17:9] This deceit and wickedness does not just disappear when a person "gets saved."

Consider how some will say, "I can't afford to tithe right now." and justify their statement by pointing out all the bills they are unable to pay and by promising to "make it up later." If there are unpaid bills it is due to the fact that they have over spent and/or over indebted themselves in direct disobedience to the scriptural admonition to "owe no man anything" and to be good stewards of God's gracious abundance. [Rom. 13:8; 1Co. 4:2]

Another example would be the person who becomes aware of an individual or family that is in need. They decide that they should help them out financially and do so. This would be a wonderful thing if they did not rob God to do it. Benevolences are gifts [offerings] that are meant to be over and above the tithe that God requires of every believer. Offerings are a matter of proportion, whereas the tithe is a matter of percentage.

No Believer has a right to use God's resources in any way they choose. "There is a way that seems right to a man but the ways thereof are the ways of death. [Pro. 14:12; 16:25]