100:00:00,940 –> 00:00:04,600I want to begin by200:00:04,600 –> 00:00:08,760suggesting a definition of stealing that I think will be helpful for us to300:00:08,760 –> 00:00:12,420take in the challenge of the 8th commandment. And it’s simply this400:00:12,420 –> 00:00:13,240that stealing500:00:13,240 –> 00:00:18,000is trying to get as much as possible while giving as little as possible600:00:18,000 –> 00:00:22,260Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith. I’m David Pick700:00:22,260 –> 00:00:25,340glad you could be with us today and Colin, with that definition800:00:25,639 –> 00:00:29,120this message is going to take us beyond what we normally think about900:00:29,120 –> 00:00:30,200for the 8th commandment1000:00:30,200 –> 00:00:33,419You know, stealing the pencils out of the office and that kind of thing1100:00:33,419 –> 00:00:34,500I don’t do that1200:00:34,500 –> 00:00:38,560The 8th commandment, thou shalt not steal, goes way beyond1300:00:38,560 –> 00:00:42,259that kind of thing. This is about the issue of being1400:00:42,259 –> 00:00:46,439a giver or being a taker and at the very heart of it1500:00:46,439 –> 00:00:49,820is this whole business of trying to get as much as possible1600:00:49,820 –> 00:00:52,900while at the same time giving as little as possible1700:00:53,099 –> 00:00:54,660Now that goes everywhere in the workplace1800:00:54,660 –> 00:00:57,080I mean how many folks who are employed are trying to1900:00:57,080 –> 00:00:58,939get as much salary as possible2000:00:58,939 –> 00:01:00,740for doing as little work as possible2100:01:00,740 –> 00:01:03,320That’s addressed by the 8th commandment2200:01:03,320 –> 00:01:04,339and guess what?2300:01:04,339 –> 00:01:07,739How many employers that are in the business are trying to2400:01:07,739 –> 00:01:10,320get as much as possible from those they employ2500:01:10,320 –> 00:01:13,620while giving them as little compensation as they possibly can2600:01:13,620 –> 00:01:15,900well the bible speaks to that as well2700:01:15,900 –> 00:01:18,059So this is right into the real world2800:01:18,059 –> 00:01:20,239What does it mean to steal?2900:01:20,320 –> 00:01:23,760What does it mean to take rather than to give3000:01:23,760 –> 00:01:28,080and if we can see the application of this into working life3100:01:28,080 –> 00:01:30,680into our worship life into our church life,3200:01:30,680 –> 00:01:31,720into family life3300:01:31,720 –> 00:01:33,739we’re going to see it goes all kinds of places3400:01:33,739 –> 00:01:35,760that are really very powerful and very searching3500:01:35,760 –> 00:01:39,120It certainly is a much bigger issue than we usually think of3600:01:39,120 –> 00:01:40,839so join us today if you can3700:01:40,839 –> 00:01:43,860in Exodus chapter 20 in verse 153800:01:43,860 –> 00:01:45,199as we begin the message3900:01:45,199 –> 00:01:47,160Your Struggle For Integrity4000:01:47,160 –> 00:01:48,500Here’s Colin4100:01:48,820 –> 00:01:52,639Now if I was to draw a picture of what comes to my mind first4200:01:52,639 –> 00:01:53,419with this commandment4300:01:53,419 –> 00:01:56,260and some of the children might like to draw this picture this morning4400:01:56,260 –> 00:01:59,120here’s what it would look like4500:01:59,120 –> 00:02:01,540It would be a man climbing out of a window4600:02:01,540 –> 00:02:03,779with a hooped shirt4700:02:03,779 –> 00:02:05,760and a mask over his eyes4800:02:05,760 –> 00:02:07,080and a big sack over his back4900:02:07,080 –> 00:02:10,000with the word swag written on it5000:02:10,000 –> 00:02:12,139You shall not steal5100:02:12,139 –> 00:02:13,759and I can honestly tell you this morning5200:02:13,759 –> 00:02:17,660that I have never in my entire life burgled a house5300:02:17,660 –> 00:02:18,660and so5400:02:18,660 –> 00:02:23,279my first instinct is to think that I’ve kept the Eighth Commandment5500:02:23,279 –> 00:02:25,720I keep hoping that we’re going to get to one of these commandments5600:02:25,720 –> 00:02:27,380that will give us an easy ride5700:02:27,380 –> 00:02:29,360at least for one week5800:02:29,360 –> 00:02:31,139but it doesn’t seem to be happening5900:02:31,139 –> 00:02:32,860We’re discovering that the ten commandments6000:02:32,860 –> 00:02:36,979do represent the ten greatest struggles of our lives6100:02:36,979 –> 00:02:38,360and we’re going to see this morning6200:02:38,360 –> 00:02:42,600that this one speaks to our struggle for integrity6300:02:43,160 –> 00:02:47,759It touches our attitude to money, possessions, work6400:02:47,759 –> 00:02:51,559It speaks to our struggles with greed6500:02:51,559 –> 00:02:54,679and our struggles with laziness6600:02:54,679 –> 00:02:58,960as well as our natural reluctance to give6700:02:58,960 –> 00:03:01,839So I want to begin by suggesting a definition of stealing6800:03:01,839 –> 00:03:03,660that I think will be helpful for us6900:03:03,660 –> 00:03:07,000to take in the challenge of the Eighth Commandment7000:03:07,000 –> 00:03:08,000and it’s simply this7100:03:08,000 –> 00:03:11,199that stealing is trying to get as much as possible7200:03:11,199 –> 00:03:15,139while giving as little as possible7300:03:15,139 –> 00:03:17,279Stealing is simply trying to get as much as possible7400:03:17,279 –> 00:03:21,320while giving as little as possible7500:03:21,320 –> 00:03:23,160Remember that each commandment7600:03:23,160 –> 00:03:24,839as we are discovering these7700:03:24,839 –> 00:03:27,000speaks not just to one sin7800:03:27,000 –> 00:03:28,880but to a whole category of sins7900:03:28,880 –> 00:03:30,940We know this from the Sermon on the Mount8000:03:30,940 –> 00:03:33,160where Jesus explains the inner meaning8100:03:33,160 –> 00:03:34,960of several of the commandments8200:03:34,960 –> 00:03:36,960We know this from the Old Testament itself8300:03:36,960 –> 00:03:39,039because if you read the rest of the laws8400:03:39,039 –> 00:03:42,119in Exodus and in Leviticus and Deuteronomy8500:03:42,119 –> 00:03:44,119you will find there that they are basically8600:03:44,119 –> 00:03:46,119an exposition of the 10 commandments8700:03:46,119 –> 00:03:48,839filling out or colouring in as it were8800:03:48,839 –> 00:03:51,660the full meaning of these very8900:03:51,660 –> 00:03:53,660short summary statements9000:03:53,660 –> 00:03:55,880I have found it helpful to think about the commandments9100:03:55,880 –> 00:03:58,119each one being like a railway track9200:03:58,320 –> 00:04:02,839and there are many stations down the line9300:04:02,839 –> 00:04:06,300and if you go to the station at the end of the line9400:04:06,300 –> 00:04:08,100of the 8th commandment9500:04:08,220 –> 00:04:09,179people are climbing out of the house9600:04:10,899 –> 00:04:14,199now we may never have been to that particular station9700:04:14,199 –> 00:04:16,059at the end of the line9800:04:16,059 –> 00:04:18,220but we have all travelled on this9900:04:18,220 –> 00:04:21,440particular line that is addressed by the 8th commandment10000:04:21,440 –> 00:04:23,100we’ve all been in that position10100:04:23,100 –> 00:04:25,100of trying to get as much as possible10200:04:25,100 –> 00:04:27,100by giving as little10300:04:27,100 –> 00:04:29,100as possible10400:04:30,160 –> 00:04:31,700it’s the line of taking advantage10500:04:31,700 –> 00:04:32,779of other people10600:04:32,779 –> 00:04:34,779of using other people10700:04:34,779 –> 00:04:36,779it’s the line of being a taker10800:04:37,720 –> 00:04:42,500without being a giver10900:04:42,500 –> 00:04:44,500and as we look at that definition11000:04:44,500 –> 00:04:47,579it will quickly become obvious to all of us I think11100:04:47,579 –> 00:04:50,079that there is a lot of stealing that goes on in marriage11200:04:50,079 –> 00:04:52,079if we look at that definition11300:04:52,079 –> 00:04:54,079a lot of stealing goes on in church11400:04:55,940 –> 00:04:58,820a lot of stealing goes on in our community11500:04:58,820 –> 00:05:02,700every attempt to have much and give little11600:05:02,700 –> 00:05:06,420is a breaking of the 8th commandment11700:05:07,260 –> 00:05:10,519and so this commandment speaks to two fundamental struggles within our lives11800:05:10,519 –> 00:05:13,260first, the great propensity that we have towards greed11900:05:13,260 –> 00:05:17,459and secondly, the struggle that we often have with laziness12000:05:17,459 –> 00:05:19,940now I want to ask two questions today12100:05:19,940 –> 00:05:23,179first is, what does breaking this commandment look like12200:05:23,179 –> 00:05:26,279and the second is, what does keeping this commandment look like12300:05:26,279 –> 00:05:27,899it can’t get much simpler than that12400:05:27,899 –> 00:05:31,720and then in the end, we’re going to look briefly at a model or example12500:05:31,720 –> 00:05:34,540of breaking and keeping the commandment12600:05:34,760 –> 00:05:38,279first then, what does breaking the commandment look like12700:05:38,279 –> 00:05:41,880let me give five practical areas12800:05:42,059 –> 00:05:47,040in which we may too easily fall into breaking the 8th commandment12900:05:47,540 –> 00:05:49,899the first is in the whole area of work13000:05:49,899 –> 00:05:52,940now I’m going to say something that’s addressed both to employees13100:05:52,940 –> 00:05:54,839and to employers13200:05:54,839 –> 00:05:59,459and I know that this is one of these issues where it’s much easier to hear the other side13300:05:59,459 –> 00:06:01,279it’s like when you talk on marriage13400:06:01,420 –> 00:06:05,200and you get to the bit on wives and the husband gives her a dig in the ribs13500:06:05,200 –> 00:06:06,480this is for you13600:06:06,480 –> 00:06:09,500and then you get to the bit on husbands and it goes the other way13700:06:09,500 –> 00:06:11,160this happens in church13800:06:11,160 –> 00:06:14,160and so we don’t hear what God has for us13900:06:14,579 –> 00:06:17,140so let me ask you this question, are you employed?14000:06:17,140 –> 00:06:20,880okay, this bit is for you and for me14100:06:21,959 –> 00:06:23,779working14200:06:24,779 –> 00:06:30,600if steeling involves trying to get as much as possible while giving as little as possible14300:06:30,760 –> 00:06:35,320then we have to conclude that there is a lot of stealing that goes on at work14400:06:36,739 –> 00:06:38,839if you have a job as I have a job14500:06:38,839 –> 00:06:42,940your calling is to give value to your employer14600:06:44,739 –> 00:06:48,519you earn your living from a person or from a company14700:06:48,519 –> 00:06:52,420that values what you do and pays you to do it14800:06:54,040 –> 00:06:56,640that involves a relationship of trust14900:06:57,500 –> 00:07:03,239that you will give this value to the organisation or to the person who hires you15000:07:04,540 –> 00:07:07,440and so the question I have to ask as one who is employed15100:07:07,440 –> 00:07:14,380is how can I give such value to the one or ones who employ me15200:07:14,380 –> 00:07:20,339that he or she or they will think that they are receiving great value15300:07:21,420 –> 00:07:24,079now here are just some very obvious ways in which we can steal15400:07:24,119 –> 00:07:25,119from an employer15500:07:25,239 –> 00:07:28,839arriving late, that’s stealing if you are employed15600:07:29,600 –> 00:07:33,339leaving early, stretching lunch or break times15700:07:34,200 –> 00:07:39,140expanding the work to be done to fill the space available15800:07:39,600 –> 00:07:40,640ever done that?15900:07:41,040 –> 00:07:41,839that’s stealing16000:07:41,839 –> 00:07:43,839it’s not giving full value16100:07:45,839 –> 00:07:51,640doing what you like in your work and consistently avoiding tasks assigned that you don’t like16200:07:51,940 –> 00:07:52,940that’s stealing16300:07:54,339 –> 00:07:56,779using work time to do your own thing16400:07:58,019 –> 00:07:58,920that’s stealing16500:07:58,920 –> 00:08:00,380by the way, be very careful16600:08:01,220 –> 00:08:04,140about evangelism on work time16700:08:05,140 –> 00:08:07,640your employer didn’t pay you to evangelise16800:08:07,920 –> 00:08:09,320well, actually mine did, but16900:08:10,440 –> 00:08:11,380I’m serious17000:08:12,040 –> 00:08:13,380if your employer17100:08:13,839 –> 00:08:16,679paid you to evangelise, go ahead and do it on work time17200:08:16,679 –> 00:08:21,119now if you can speak in conversation while you’re giving full value in your work, that’s just fine17300:08:22,119 –> 00:08:25,559but sloping off your work in order to do what you call evangelism17400:08:25,559 –> 00:08:27,320is not actually honouring to God17500:08:28,380 –> 00:08:32,020if what you’re doing is taking work time for which you are paid17600:08:32,020 –> 00:08:33,919and subverting it to another cause17700:08:35,159 –> 00:08:36,359I’ll never forget17800:08:36,359 –> 00:08:37,320one summer17900:08:37,919 –> 00:08:41,719when I was a student, I had a job as a nightshift cleaner18000:08:42,419 –> 00:08:47,020I worked with a team cleaning the David Hume tower in Edinburgh18100:08:47,119 –> 00:08:50,520about a 20 storey building that’s used by the university there18200:08:51,119 –> 00:08:53,219It was a fascinating experience18300:08:53,219 –> 00:08:57,320the city has a whole other life that goes on through the night18400:08:58,619 –> 00:08:59,919And I worked with a team of men18500:08:59,919 –> 00:09:02,219who could hardly ask you for milk and sugar in their tea18600:09:02,219 –> 00:09:05,520without using the foulest imaginable language18700:09:06,320 –> 00:09:08,020Well we had three breaks in the tea room18800:09:08,020 –> 00:09:09,219as they called it each night18900:09:09,219 –> 00:09:12,119over the weeks, I had opportunities19000:09:12,119 –> 00:09:14,020when we were sitting in the tea room in these breaks19100:09:14,020 –> 00:09:16,219to talk about the gospel19200:09:16,219 –> 00:09:18,419They knew I was a theological student19300:09:18,419 –> 00:09:19,520and you can maybe imagine19400:09:19,520 –> 00:09:21,919that this gave plenty of scope19500:09:21,919 –> 00:09:25,619for what I could only describe as over-ripe jokes19600:09:26,719 –> 00:09:29,520Well after tea we would spread out over the building19700:09:30,219 –> 00:09:32,619And each of us would work on a different floor19800:09:32,619 –> 00:09:34,919We would normally take 2 floors responsibility19900:09:34,919 –> 00:09:36,020in each of the sessions20000:09:36,020 –> 00:09:37,820And so work the length of the building20100:09:37,820 –> 00:09:40,119in a fairly systematic fashion20200:09:41,119 –> 00:09:44,020And I, in one of these sessions20300:09:44,020 –> 00:09:45,719got my couple of floors done20400:09:45,719 –> 00:09:47,619in particularly good time20500:09:47,919 –> 00:09:49,919And so decided that I’d use20600:09:49,919 –> 00:09:52,820the time until the next tea break20700:09:52,820 –> 00:09:54,919to read a few pages20800:09:54,919 –> 00:09:57,119I carried as I often do20900:09:57,119 –> 00:09:58,419a little book in my pocket21000:09:58,419 –> 00:10:01,020And I thought I’d read21100:10:01,020 –> 00:10:03,419So I found myself a nice little perch21200:10:03,419 –> 00:10:04,919in one of the windows21300:10:04,919 –> 00:10:06,919my feet up on the laboratory table21400:10:06,919 –> 00:10:10,119that we had just cleaned for that laboratory21500:10:10,119 –> 00:10:13,719And not a soul within 2 floors21600:10:15,119 –> 00:10:16,320And stuck deep in the book21700:10:16,320 –> 00:10:18,320that the supervisor had walked in21800:10:18,320 –> 00:10:20,520He never, never did that21900:10:21,520 –> 00:10:24,020But he did that night22000:10:24,020 –> 00:10:26,020And I’ll never forget it22100:10:26,020 –> 00:10:28,020All he said was22200:10:28,020 –> 00:10:30,719Is that a good book?22300:10:32,119 –> 00:10:35,020I muttered something about22400:10:35,020 –> 00:10:37,820getting finished the job early22500:10:38,820 –> 00:10:40,020But it was no use22600:10:40,020 –> 00:10:42,520My credibility was shot to bits22700:10:44,020 –> 00:10:46,219I’d finished my work truly22800:10:46,619 –> 00:10:48,119But there was more that I could have done22900:10:48,119 –> 00:10:50,119I could have offered to help someone else on another floor23000:10:50,119 –> 00:10:51,619I could have come back to the tea room23100:10:51,619 –> 00:10:53,419and undertaken another task23200:10:53,919 –> 00:10:57,119I wasn’t paid by that company to read the book23300:10:58,020 –> 00:10:59,419I was stealing23400:11:01,119 –> 00:11:04,619See, having a job involves a relationship of trust23500:11:04,619 –> 00:11:06,619And the trust is that you give23600:11:06,619 –> 00:11:10,619full value in what you were hired to do23700:11:10,619 –> 00:11:12,320You are listening to Open The Bible23800:11:12,320 –> 00:11:13,619with Pastor Colin Smith23900:11:13,619 –> 00:11:16,520and a message called, Your Struggle For Integrity24000:11:16,520 –> 00:11:18,020It’s part of our series24100:11:18,020 –> 00:11:20,520The Ten Greatest Struggles Of Your Life24200:11:21,020 –> 00:11:23,020and if you’ve missed any of the series24300:11:23,020 –> 00:11:24,020you can always catch up24400:11:24,020 –> 00:11:25,520or go back and listen again24500:11:25,520 –> 00:11:27,520online, at our website24600:11:27,520 –> 00:11:30,020openthebible.org.uk24700:11:30,020 –> 00:11:32,020Or find us as a podcast24800:11:32,020 –> 00:11:33,719on all the main podcast sites24900:11:33,719 –> 00:11:36,520search for Open The Bible UK25000:11:36,520 –> 00:11:38,020Back to the message now25100:11:38,020 –> 00:11:39,020here’s Colin25200:11:39,020 –> 00:11:42,020Having a job involves a relationship of trust25300:11:42,419 –> 00:11:45,419and the trust is that you give full value25400:11:45,419 –> 00:11:48,419in what you were hired to do25500:11:49,419 –> 00:11:50,419Here’s a second area25600:11:50,419 –> 00:11:52,419The whole area of paying25700:11:52,419 –> 00:11:53,419Now, many of us of course25800:11:53,419 –> 00:11:54,919are on the other side of this25900:11:54,919 –> 00:11:56,919We are employers26000:11:56,919 –> 00:11:57,919We run small businesses26100:11:57,919 –> 00:11:59,919or we are in position of26200:11:59,919 –> 00:12:01,219considerable responsibility26300:12:01,219 –> 00:12:02,419in larger companies26400:12:02,419 –> 00:12:04,419We have responsibilities to a company26500:12:04,419 –> 00:12:05,419We also have responsibilities26600:12:05,419 –> 00:12:07,419to the people that we employ26700:12:07,419 –> 00:12:09,419And there is, as much stealing26800:12:09,419 –> 00:12:11,219goes on amongst employers26900:12:11,619 –> 00:12:12,719as there is stealing27000:12:12,719 –> 00:12:13,719that goes on among employees27100:12:14,020 –> 00:12:15,320So if you employ someone27200:12:15,320 –> 00:12:16,719or have responsibility in this area27300:12:16,719 –> 00:12:18,719this now is for you27400:12:20,020 –> 00:12:21,320When we read the Eighth Commandment27500:12:21,619 –> 00:12:22,719we tend to think27600:12:22,719 –> 00:12:23,719that it’s all about poor people27700:12:23,820 –> 00:12:24,719stealing from the rich27800:12:24,719 –> 00:12:26,219but actually it’s equally27900:12:26,219 –> 00:12:27,719about rich people stealing from the poor28000:12:28,219 –> 00:12:29,520And if you read the Old Testament28100:12:29,719 –> 00:12:31,219you may find that there is28200:12:31,219 –> 00:12:32,219a compelling argument to say28300:12:32,219 –> 00:12:34,219that the Old Testament prophets28400:12:34,219 –> 00:12:36,219primarily applied this commandment28500:12:37,919 –> 00:12:38,919to the obscenity28600:12:39,419 –> 00:12:40,719of those who have much28700:12:41,820 –> 00:12:42,820showing meanness28800:12:43,520 –> 00:12:45,020towards those who have little28900:12:45,619 –> 00:12:47,520The Apostle James speaks about it29000:12:47,520 –> 00:12:48,619in the New Testament29100:12:48,619 –> 00:12:50,419the wages, he says in James 529200:12:50,419 –> 00:12:52,419For that you failed to pay29300:12:53,520 –> 00:12:54,619the wages you failed29400:12:54,619 –> 00:12:55,820to pay your workmen29500:12:55,820 –> 00:12:57,020who mowed your fields29600:12:57,020 –> 00:12:58,820are crying out against you29700:12:58,820 –> 00:13:00,020and the cries of the harvesters29800:13:00,020 –> 00:13:02,020have reached the ears of the Lord29900:13:03,020 –> 00:13:04,219Here are these harvesters30000:13:04,219 –> 00:13:05,320they’ve worked hard30100:13:05,320 –> 00:13:06,119day after day30200:13:06,119 –> 00:13:07,419it’s been back breaking work30300:13:07,419 –> 00:13:08,619they’ve given full value30400:13:08,619 –> 00:13:10,020they’ve brought in the harvest30500:13:10,320 –> 00:13:11,520and the value of the harvest30600:13:11,520 –> 00:13:13,020is fantastic30700:13:13,719 –> 00:13:14,820and the landowner30800:13:14,820 –> 00:13:16,119is living in the luxury30900:13:16,119 –> 00:13:17,119and the blessing31000:13:17,119 –> 00:13:18,619of what has come to him31100:13:18,619 –> 00:13:20,820but he has not shared31200:13:20,820 –> 00:13:22,020this benefit31300:13:22,020 –> 00:13:23,719with those who brought it to him31400:13:23,719 –> 00:13:25,020He has kept it31500:13:25,020 –> 00:13:26,020to himself31600:13:26,020 –> 00:13:27,520and he has sent them home31700:13:27,520 –> 00:13:29,219with scarcely enough31800:13:29,219 –> 00:13:30,919to sustain their families31900:13:31,119 –> 00:13:31,820and God says32000:13:31,820 –> 00:13:33,520that cries out to me32100:13:36,119 –> 00:13:37,119He would not have32200:13:37,119 –> 00:13:37,820what he enjoyed32300:13:37,820 –> 00:13:39,719apart from these harvesters32400:13:39,820 –> 00:13:41,820but instead of asking the question32500:13:41,820 –> 00:13:44,919What is their value to me32600:13:46,419 –> 00:13:47,820He just asked the question32700:13:47,820 –> 00:13:48,520What can I get away32800:13:48,520 –> 00:13:49,320with paying them?32900:13:51,320 –> 00:13:51,919So you see33000:13:51,919 –> 00:13:52,520as we go back to33100:13:52,520 –> 00:13:53,419our definition33200:13:53,520 –> 00:13:54,619employers33300:13:54,619 –> 00:13:55,820also face33400:13:55,820 –> 00:13:56,919the temptation33500:13:57,419 –> 00:13:58,419of trying to get33600:13:58,419 –> 00:13:59,820as much as possible33700:13:59,820 –> 00:14:00,119by33800:14:00,119 –> 00:14:00,619giving33900:14:00,619 –> 00:14:01,320as little34000:14:01,320 –> 00:14:02,219as possible34100:14:02,419 –> 00:14:03,619and that is34200:14:04,619 –> 00:14:05,219stealing34300:14:05,520 –> 00:14:08,419For example34400:14:08,419 –> 00:14:09,119God will hold34500:14:09,119 –> 00:14:10,320Christian employers34600:14:10,320 –> 00:14:11,419responsible for34700:14:11,419 –> 00:14:13,520our stewardship34800:14:14,020 –> 00:14:15,219in paying appropriate34900:14:15,219 –> 00:14:16,320salaries35000:14:16,919 –> 00:14:18,119to those who generate35100:14:18,119 –> 00:14:19,020the wealth35200:14:19,020 –> 00:14:20,119and the blessing35300:14:20,520 –> 00:14:21,520that we enjoy35400:14:22,820 –> 00:14:23,719then while we’re thinking of35500:14:23,719 –> 00:14:24,119paying35600:14:24,119 –> 00:14:24,619there’s the whole35700:14:24,619 –> 00:14:25,020issue of35800:14:25,020 –> 00:14:25,419course, of35900:14:25,419 –> 00:14:26,419late payment36000:14:26,419 –> 00:14:27,020bills that36100:14:27,020 –> 00:14:27,820hang out there36200:14:27,820 –> 00:14:28,320either from36300:14:28,320 –> 00:14:29,020the home36400:14:29,119 –> 00:14:30,659or from the business36500:14:30,919 –> 00:14:32,119long beyond the time36600:14:32,119 –> 00:14:32,820that they were due36700:14:32,820 –> 00:14:33,619to be paid36800:14:33,719 –> 00:14:34,619and the Bible speaks36900:14:34,619 –> 00:14:35,419clear to give37000:14:35,419 –> 00:14:36,219Romans 1337100:14:36,219 –> 00:14:36,820verse 737200:14:36,820 –> 00:14:37,719to everyone37300:14:37,919 –> 00:14:39,419what we owe them37400:14:40,219 –> 00:14:41,020If you owe money37500:14:41,020 –> 00:14:42,020on a bill37600:14:42,520 –> 00:14:43,219it’s no good37700:14:43,219 –> 00:14:43,719to say well37800:14:43,719 –> 00:14:44,719this is a big company37900:14:44,719 –> 00:14:45,719and they won’t miss it38000:14:45,820 –> 00:14:46,760it is what you38100:14:46,760 –> 00:14:47,460owe and your38200:14:47,460 –> 00:14:48,419responsibility is38300:14:48,419 –> 00:14:49,119not the company38400:14:49,119 –> 00:14:50,119your responsibility38500:14:50,119 –> 00:14:51,119is your bill38600:14:52,419 –> 00:14:53,119if someone38700:14:53,119 –> 00:14:54,919gives you a loan38800:14:55,919 –> 00:14:56,419and you38900:14:56,419 –> 00:14:57,520do not repay39000:14:57,520 –> 00:14:58,320it39100:14:59,520 –> 00:15:00,719That is stealing39200:15:01,619 –> 00:15:02,320It’s no use39300:15:02,320 –> 00:15:02,820saying Oh39400:15:02,820 –> 00:15:03,520he doesn’t need39500:15:03,520 –> 00:15:04,520the money back39600:15:05,119 –> 00:15:05,919Whether or not39700:15:05,919 –> 00:15:06,619they need the money back39800:15:06,619 –> 00:15:08,520is none of your business39900:15:09,219 –> 00:15:10,419your responsibility40000:15:10,419 –> 00:15:11,619my responsibility40100:15:11,619 –> 00:15:12,419is to pay40200:15:12,419 –> 00:15:13,119what we40300:15:13,119 –> 00:15:13,919owe40400:15:15,520 –> 00:15:16,020then as we40500:15:16,020 –> 00:15:16,619try and turn this40600:15:16,619 –> 00:15:17,419definition in our40700:15:17,419 –> 00:15:18,020minds and say40800:15:18,020 –> 00:15:18,820where else does that40900:15:18,820 –> 00:15:19,520take us41000:15:19,719 –> 00:15:19,919there’s the41100:15:19,919 –> 00:15:20,419whole issue41200:15:20,419 –> 00:15:21,419of charging41300:15:21,919 –> 00:15:22,719the Bible speaks41400:15:22,719 –> 00:15:23,619about false41500:15:24,219 –> 00:15:24,719weights41600:15:24,719 –> 00:15:25,820and measures41700:15:25,820 –> 00:15:26,619and41800:15:27,419 –> 00:15:27,820Dr. Jim41900:15:27,820 –> 00:15:28,320Packer42000:15:28,320 –> 00:15:28,919points out42100:15:28,919 –> 00:15:29,219I think42200:15:29,219 –> 00:15:29,739helpfully42300:15:29,739 –> 00:15:29,979that the42400:15:29,979 –> 00:15:30,820modern equivalent42500:15:30,820 –> 00:15:31,219to that42600:15:31,219 –> 00:15:31,619would be what42700:15:31,619 –> 00:15:32,119we call42800:15:32,119 –> 00:15:32,919overpricing42900:15:32,919 –> 00:15:33,320goods and43000:15:33,320 –> 00:15:33,919services43100:15:33,919 –> 00:15:34,820that’s stealing43200:15:36,320 –> 00:15:37,020if stealing43300:15:37,020 –> 00:15:37,619is trying to get43400:15:37,619 –> 00:15:38,119as much as43500:15:38,119 –> 00:15:38,820possible43600:15:38,820 –> 00:15:39,219while giving43700:15:39,219 –> 00:15:39,820as little as43800:15:39,820 –> 00:15:40,719possible43900:15:40,719 –> 00:15:41,320then the44000:15:41,320 –> 00:15:42,119eighth commandment44100:15:42,119 –> 00:15:42,820does speak to44200:15:42,820 –> 00:15:43,320this issue44300:15:43,320 –> 00:15:44,520of overpricing44400:15:44,520 –> 00:15:45,219goods44500:15:45,219 –> 00:15:46,219and services44600:15:46,219 –> 00:15:46,719it also44700:15:46,719 –> 00:15:47,320speaks to44800:15:47,320 –> 00:15:48,320cutting44900:15:48,320 –> 00:15:48,919the quality45000:15:48,919 –> 00:15:50,119of our work45100:15:51,119 –> 00:15:51,719you’re paid45200:15:51,719 –> 00:15:52,219to do a45300:15:52,219 –> 00:15:53,520certain job45400:15:54,219 –> 00:15:54,820and it may45500:15:54,820 –> 00:15:55,219often be45600:15:55,219 –> 00:15:55,820the case45700:15:55,820 –> 00:15:56,119that folks45800:15:56,119 –> 00:15:56,520don’t really45900:15:56,520 –> 00:15:57,119know if you46000:15:57,119 –> 00:15:57,419cut corners46100:15:57,419 –> 00:15:58,419or not46200:15:58,619 –> 00:15:59,219and there’s46300:15:59,219 –> 00:15:59,820other work46400:15:59,820 –> 00:16:00,219to do46500:16:00,219 –> 00:16:00,760so the pressure46600:16:00,760 –> 00:16:01,320is on you46700:16:01,320 –> 00:16:01,719to say46800:16:01,719 –> 00:16:02,219this will46900:16:02,219 –> 00:16:02,719be good47000:16:02,719 –> 00:16:03,219enough47100:16:03,219 –> 00:16:03,619they’ll never47200:16:03,619 –> 00:16:04,419know the47300:16:04,419 –> 00:16:04,500difference47400:16:05,820 –> 00:16:06,320but my47500:16:06,320 –> 00:16:06,919calling is a47600:16:06,919 –> 00:16:07,719Christian believer47700:16:07,719 –> 00:16:08,419in the light of47800:16:08,419 –> 00:16:08,619the Eighth47900:16:08,619 –> 00:16:09,320Commandment48000:16:09,320 –> 00:16:09,719is to48100:16:09,719 –> 00:16:10,520provide the48200:16:10,520 –> 00:16:11,200best48300:16:11,200 –> 00:16:12,219value48400:16:13,219 –> 00:16:13,520for a48500:16:13,520 –> 00:16:14,020fair48600:16:14,020 –> 00:16:14,820price48700:16:17,020 –> 00:16:17,719fourthly48800:16:17,719 –> 00:16:17,919there’s the48900:16:17,919 –> 00:16:18,320whole issue49000:16:18,320 –> 00:16:18,820of49100:16:18,820 –> 00:16:19,820copying49200:16:20,520 –> 00:16:20,820here49300:16:20,820 –> 00:16:21,219you come49400:16:21,219 –> 00:16:21,320to49500:16:21,320 –> 00:16:21,919a sin49600:16:21,919 –> 00:16:22,219that I49700:16:22,219 –> 00:16:22,619have to49800:16:22,619 –> 00:16:23,020say is49900:16:23,020 –> 00:16:23,419too50000:16:23,419 –> 00:16:23,919common50100:16:23,919 –> 00:16:24,419among50200:16:24,419 –> 00:16:25,419pastors50300:16:26,219 –> 00:16:27,219plagiarism50400:16:28,219 –> 00:16:28,619taking50500:16:28,619 –> 00:16:29,020other50600:16:29,020 –> 00:16:29,419people’s50700:16:29,419 –> 00:16:30,119material50800:16:30,119 –> 00:16:31,020and speaking50900:16:31,020 –> 00:16:32,020it as51000:16:32,020 –> 00:16:32,320if it51100:16:32,320 –> 00:16:32,520were51200:16:32,520 –> 00:16:32,820your51300:16:32,820 –> 00:16:33,219own51400:16:33,820 –> 00:16:35,119then of51500:16:35,119 –> 00:16:35,419course51600:16:35,419 –> 00:16:35,719there is51700:16:35,719 –> 00:16:35,820the51800:16:35,820 –> 00:16:36,140whole51900:16:36,140 –> 00:16:36,219issue52000:16:36,219 –> 00:16:36,820of52100:16:36,820 –> 00:16:37,419copy52200:16:37,419 –> 00:16:38,119right52300:16:38,119 –> 00:16:38,219in52400:16:38,219 –> 00:16:38,719relation52500:16:38,719 –> 00:16:38,919to52600:16:38,919 –> 00:16:39,119computer52700:16:39,119 –> 00:16:41,020software52800:16:41,619 –> 00:16:42,219or52900:16:42,219 –> 00:16:42,919copying53000:16:42,919 –> 00:16:43,099a53100:16:43,099 –> 00:16:43,719music53200:16:43,719 –> 00:16:44,020C53300:16:44,020 –> 00:16:44,419D53400:16:44,419 –> 00:16:44,719from53500:16:44,719 –> 00:16:44,919your53600:16:44,919 –> 00:16:45,320friend53700:16:45,320 –> 00:16:45,419at53800:16:45,419 –> 00:16:45,619high53900:16:45,619 –> 00:16:46,719school54000:16:46,719 –> 00:16:47,219so54100:16:47,219 –> 00:16:47,419you54200:16:47,419 –> 00:16:47,619have54300:16:47,619 –> 00:16:47,820to54400:16:47,820 –> 00:16:48,119buy54500:16:48,119 –> 00:16:48,719one54600:16:48,719 –> 00:16:48,919that54700:16:48,919 –> 00:16:49,119is54800:16:49,119 –> 00:16:49,719taking54900:16:49,719 –> 00:16:49,919what55000:16:49,919 –> 00:16:50,219is55100:16:50,219 –> 00:16:50,619due55200:16:50,619 –> 00:16:50,820to55300:16:50,820 –> 00:16:50,919the55400:16:50,919 –> 00:16:51,820artist55500:16:53,119 –> 00:16:53,320you55600:16:53,320 –> 00:16:53,520say55700:16:53,520 –> 00:16:53,719well55800:16:53,719 –> 00:16:53,820the55900:16:53,820 –> 00:16:54,219artist56000:16:54,219 –> 00:16:54,419does56100:16:54,419 –> 00:16:54,520not56200:16:54,520 –> 00:16:54,719need56300:16:54,719 –> 00:16:55,419it56400:16:55,619 –> 00:16:55,719he56500:16:55,719 –> 00:16:55,820is56600:16:55,820 –> 00:16:56,219already56700:16:56,219 –> 00:16:56,21956800:16:56,219 –> 00:16:57,020miillionaire56900:16:57,919 –> 00:16:58,119which57000:16:58,119 –> 00:16:58,219is57100:16:58,219 –> 00:16:58,719probably57200:16:58,719 –> 00:16:59,020true57300:16:59,919 –> 00:17:00,020but57400:17:00,020 –> 00:17:00,320think57500:17:00,320 –> 00:17:00,619about57600:17:00,619 –> 00:17:01,020that57700:17:02,119 –> 00:17:02,419watch57800:17:02,419 –> 00:17:02,919then57900:17:02,919 –> 00:17:03,520saying58000:17:03,520 –> 00:17:03,820is58100:17:03,820 –> 00:17:03,919that58200:17:03,919 –> 00:17:04,119it’s58300:17:04,119 –> 00:17:04,319all58400:17:04,319 –> 00:17:04,619K58500:17:04,619 –> 00:17:04,819to58600:17:04,819 –> 00:17:05,219steal58700:17:05,219 –> 00:17:05,420from58800:17:05,420 –> 00:17:05,819someone58900:17:05,819 –> 00:17:06,119who59000:17:06,119 –> 00:17:06,719has59100:17:06,719 –> 00:17:06,819more59200:17:06,819 –> 00:17:06,920than59300:17:06,920 –> 00:17:07,319do59400:17:07,319 –> 00:17:07,719if59500:17:07,719 –> 00:17:07,920you59600:17:07,920 –> 00:17:08,119think59700:17:08,119 –> 00:17:08,319have59800:17:08,319 –> 00:17:08,520already59900:17:08,520 –> 00:17:08,819got60000:17:08,819 –> 00:17:09,319enough60100:17:10,319 –> 00:17:10,520and60200:17:10,520 –> 00:17:10,619if60300:17:10,619 –> 00:17:10,719you60400:17:10,719 –> 00:17:10,920go60500:17:10,920 –> 00:17:10,92060600:17:10,920 –> 00:17:11,119that60700:17:11,119 –> 00:17:11,920logic60800:17:12,319 –> 00:17:12,520that60900:17:12,520 –> 00:17:12,719would61000:17:12,719 –> 00:17:13,319mean61100:17:13,719 –> 00:17:13,819the61200:17:13,819 –> 00:17:14,119most61300:17:14,119 –> 00:17:14,219of61400:17:14,219 –> 00:17:14,319the61500:17:14,319 –> 00:17:14,920world61600:17:14,920 –> 00:17:15,119has61700:17:15,119 –> 00:17:15,219the61800:17:15,219 –> 00:17:15,520right61900:17:15,520 –> 00:17:15,619to62000:17:15,619 –> 00:17:16,020steal62100:17:16,020 –> 00:17:16,319from62200:17:16,319 –> 00:17:16,719every62300:17:16,719 –> 00:17:16,920one62400:17:16,920 –> 00:17:17,020of62500:17:17,020 –> 00:17:17,719us62600:17:17,719 –> 00:17:18,319including62700:17:18,319 –> 00:17:18,520our62800:17:18,520 –> 00:17:18,719high62900:17:18,719 –> 00:17:19,119school63000:17:19,119 –> 00:17:19,520students63100:17:19,719 –> 00:17:20,020because63200:17:20,020 –> 00:17:20,420half63300:17:20,420 –> 00:17:20,619the63400:17:20,619 –> 00:17:21,219world63500:17:21,219 –> 00:17:21,479also63600:17:21,479 –> 00:17:21,619owns63700:17:21,619 –> 00:17:22,319less63800:17:22,319 –> 00:17:22,719the63900:17:22,719 –> 00:17:22,920high64000:17:22,920 –> 00:17:23,219school64100:17:23,219 –> 00:17:23,819student64200:17:23,819 –> 00:17:23,920in64300:17:23,920 –> 00:17:24,619America64400:17:27,640 –> 00:17:28,319copying64500:17:29,439 –> 00:17:29,939stealing64600:17:32,939 –> 00:17:33,239then64700:17:33,239 –> 00:17:33,420think64800:17:33,420 –> 00:18:02,719of64900:18:03,719 –> 00:18:04,219price.65000:18:05,540 –> 00:18:07,640Doesn’t that show a whole attitude of heart?65100:18:09,579 –> 00:18:21,400See, this commandment is like an x-ray of the soul. It shows up what we are really like. We want to get much and we want to give little.65200:18:23,079 –> 00:18:32,599And as I’ve looked into my own soul — and I guess as you look into yours this morning in the light of the Word of God, maybe we’ll confess that this is65300:18:32,839 –> 00:18:39,520indeed one of the ten greatest struggles of our lives.65400:18:41,079 –> 00:18:45,719Well, that’s enough about breaking the commandment. Our aim is to encourage keeping the commandment.65500:18:45,719 –> 00:18:49,699So let’s move on quickly to the question, what does keeping the commandment look like?65600:18:49,699 –> 00:18:55,900Remember, the best way to avoid a wrong road is always to choose the right road and to go down it as fast as you can.65700:18:56,160 –> 00:19:00,319Let’s turn over Ephesians chapter 4 in verse 28.65800:19:00,479 –> 00:19:05,780Paul gives us the New Testament exposition of the Eighth Commandment.65900:19:05,780 –> 00:19:08,359Notice it there in Ephesians 4 28.66000:19:08,359 –> 00:19:11,839He gives us the negative and then the positive on which we’ll focus.66100:19:11,839 –> 00:19:17,239First, the negative. He who has been stealing must steal no longer.66200:19:18,239 –> 00:19:19,719But what are we to do instead?66300:19:19,719 –> 00:19:20,719Notice what he says.66400:19:21,239 –> 00:19:27,099’…but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have66500:19:27,099 –> 00:19:30,680something to share with those in need.’66600:19:32,119 –> 00:19:35,420So if I ask the question, what does it mean to keep the Eighth Commandment?66700:19:35,420 –> 00:19:39,739The very obvious answer is going to be that it means working.66800:19:40,959 –> 00:19:43,400And it means giving.66900:19:43,800 –> 00:19:45,020Working and giving.67000:19:45,199 –> 00:19:45,959Don’t steal.67100:19:46,300 –> 00:19:48,079Instead, this is what you do.67200:19:48,079 –> 00:19:54,380To keep the Eighth Commandment you work, and to keep the Eighth Commandment, you give.67300:19:54,380 –> 00:19:56,119The opposite of stealing is working.67400:19:56,119 –> 00:20:04,780That the word that Paul uses for work here means, labor to the point of fatigue.67500:20:05,839 –> 00:20:07,359Isn’t that interesting?67600:20:07,359 –> 00:20:10,359He commends labor to the point of fatigue.67700:20:10,359 –> 00:20:13,439That’s the meaning of the word that he uses.67800:20:13,439 –> 00:20:17,739So if you know what it is to flop into your bed at night and feel pretty well spent, Paul’s67900:20:17,739 –> 00:20:19,719saying, that’s a good thing.68000:20:19,719 –> 00:20:25,000You’ve given yourself, that’s a worthy thing.68100:20:25,000 –> 00:20:27,959The Bible always takes a positive view of work.68200:20:27,959 –> 00:20:34,400This is a good gift from God, tracing the times when the Apostle Paul speaks of working68300:20:34,400 –> 00:20:39,760harder than those who wanted to have an easy life in ministry.68400:20:39,780 –> 00:20:41,380It’s very significant.68500:20:41,520 –> 00:20:45,079He speaks about this in 1 Corinthians 15 and 2 Corinthians 11.68600:20:45,079 –> 00:20:48,540He talks about labouring and struggling.68700:20:48,540 –> 00:20:54,459These are the kind of words that reflect what authentic work, ministry, actually looks like.68800:20:54,459 –> 00:20:58,979In everything that I did, he said, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must68900:20:58,979 –> 00:21:00,420help the weak.69000:21:00,420 –> 00:21:03,459Work with your hands, he says.69100:21:03,459 –> 00:21:07,719So the Bible commends to us the value of working hard.69200:21:07,719 –> 00:21:10,839I think that’s a note that we need to hear.69300:21:11,300 –> 00:21:14,319It’s a fundamental biblical principle.69400:21:14,319 –> 00:21:17,900You’ve been listening to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith.69500:21:17,900 –> 00:21:22,180And a great reminder there is that if I’m a Christian, I work for Christ.69600:21:22,180 –> 00:21:28,180So everything I do should be done for Him, not for myself or for other people.69700:21:28,180 –> 00:21:32,780You’ve been listening to the message called Your Struggle for Integrity, part of a series69800:21:32,780 –> 00:21:35,760called the 10 Greatest Struggles of your Life.69900:21:35,760 –> 00:21:39,300And if you’ve missed any of the series, you can always catch up or go back and listen70000:21:39,500 –> 00:21:44,359again online at our website www.openthebible.org.uk.70100:21:44,359 –> 00:21:47,979Or find us as a podcast on those are on all the main podcast sites.70200:21:47,979 –> 00:21:52,640Search for Open the Bible UK and subscribe if you want to receive regular reminders.70300:21:52,640 –> 00:21:57,099There’s also a link to the podcast on our website.70400:21:57,099 –> 00:22:02,079Also on our website and available as a podcast is Open the Bible Daily, and that’s a series70500:22:02,079 –> 00:22:07,699of daily short reflections, 2 to 3 minutes long, based on Pastor Colin’s teaching70600:22:08,060 –> 00:22:10,819and read in the UK by Sue MacLeish.70700:22:10,819 –> 00:22:13,239There’s a new one every day, and many Christians find it’s a70800:22:13,239 –> 00:22:15,780great way to start the day.70900:22:15,780 –> 00:22:19,939Just a reminder that we love hearing from our listeners, so if you’d like to get in71000:22:19,939 –> 00:22:21,819touch, this is how you can do it.71100:22:21,819 –> 00:22:31,359You can write to us at Open the Bible PO Box 1420 Cheltenham GL 50 9PG.71200:22:31,579 –> 00:22:41,500Again that address is openthebible.org.uk71300:22:46,500 –> 00:22:50,180Open the Bible is supported entirely by our listeners.71400:22:50,180 –> 00:22:53,880And if you already give to support the work of Open the Bible we want to say71500:22:53,880 –> 00:22:55,780a huge thank you.71600:22:55,780 –> 00:23:00,040If it’s something you’ve been considering doing, if you’re able to begin a new direct71700:23:00,160 –> 00:23:06,180debit to the work of Open the Bible this month in the amount of £5 per month, or more, or71800:23:06,180 –> 00:23:11,619a one-off gift of £50 or more, we’d love to thank you by sending you a copy of Pastor71900:23:11,619 –> 00:23:14,859Colin Smith’s new book, Drive Through the Bible.72000:23:14,859 –> 00:23:17,719Colin, who did you write this book for?72100:23:17,719 –> 00:23:19,420Where do you begin?72200:23:19,420 –> 00:23:24,000And so people pick up bits and pieces – and a story from here, a story from there.72300:23:24,000 –> 00:23:28,079But sometimes even after years in the Christian life people don’t feel like they have a72400:23:28,079 –> 00:23:29,859grasp of the whole.72500:23:30,000 –> 00:23:34,060And then, of course, every year, praise God – there are people coming new to faith,72600:23:34,060 –> 00:23:36,380and this is an entirely new book for them.72700:23:36,380 –> 00:23:39,900And where do you begin in a book that is so vast?72800:23:39,900 –> 00:23:45,420Well, Drive Through the Bible really is a marvellous place to begin, to get the whole72900:23:45,420 –> 00:23:50,300story, the big picture of what the Bible is really all about.73000:23:50,300 –> 00:23:55,180And I just love saying that the whole Bible is one story, it begins in a garden, ends73100:23:55,180 –> 00:23:58,300in a city, and all the way through it’s about the Lord Jesus Christ.73200:23:58,420 –> 00:24:02,280Drive Through the Bible will take you through the story so that you feel that you have a73300:24:02,300 –> 00:24:08,819sense of what the Bible is all about, and why Jesus Christ is the centre, who he is,73400:24:08,819 –> 00:24:12,260and what he has accomplished and what he is able to do in our lives today.73500:24:12,260 –> 00:24:17,079So, this is not simply a sort of learning exercise – this is an introduction to the73600:24:17,079 –> 00:24:20,060Lord Jesus Christ all the way through the Scripture.73700:24:20,060 –> 00:24:24,060And I think whether someone has been a Christian for a long time, or whether someone is new73800:24:24,079 –> 00:24:29,000to the Scriptures, and just wants to get a handle on what the Bible’s all about, Drive73900:24:29,000 –> 00:24:32,599Through the Bible’s going to be a place to begin, and I hope it will be a blessing to74000:24:32,599 –> 00:24:33,599many people.74100:24:33,599 –> 00:24:38,099We’d love to send you a copy of Pastor Colin’s new book, Drive Through the Bible,74200:24:38,099 –> 00:24:42,579along with a lovely Open the Bible tote bag, pen, and bookmark.74300:24:42,579 –> 00:24:47,900If you are able to begin a new direct debit to the work of Open the Bible this month in74400:24:47,900 –> 00:24:53,180the amount of £5 per month or more or a one-off gift of £50 or more,74500:24:53,180 –> 00:25:01,719full terms and conditions, and to give online, come to our website openthebible.org.uk74600:25:01,719 –> 00:25:06,060For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith, I’m David Pick, and I hope you’ll be able74700:25:06,060 –> 00:25:14,780to join us again next time on Open the Bible.74800:25:14,780 –> 00:25:17,579What is the Opposite of Stealing?74900:25:17,579 –> 00:25:20,219You might be surprised at the answer!75000:25:20,219 –> 00:25:23,939Find out what the New Testament says, next time on Open the Bible.