My beloved friends and family,

God’s Grace and Love be with each of you.

This past Sunday we continued the story of 2.4 million Israelites on the journey from

Egypt through the wilderness to the land of Canaan. Chapter 22 of Exodus outlines how

to deal with various problems that arise between people. It addresses the laws, the

attitudes, the actions and the judgments that God's people must have. It addresses the

basic concepts of the policies that govern the situations that may arise when God's

people live together and form a community.

When God’s people deal with other people, they must deal with God’s heart. They must

follow the God-given Bill of Rights.

1. For people of God, never committing theft is of highest importance. Theft causes

harm that destroys families. The Ten Commandments state: "You shall not murder,"

"You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness,"

and "You shall not covet your neighbor's property." These Commandments number

6-10, concern our relationship with others, and address the most problematic aspects of

human relationships — stealing from others: stealing life, stealing sexually, stealing

hearts, and stealing others' possessions.

Colossians 3:5 states that covetousness is idolatry, and the root of theft lies in the spirit

of worshipping material things as idols. This is not because God does not provide for us,

but because we believe that material possessions and money guarantee our safety.

This leads to a mindset that cares nothing about what happens to others, but instead a

mindset that cares only for personal gain and convenience.

Jesus and theft cannot coexist. We must avoid all theft. Including theft of the beauty of

the natural world when we damage nature. Theft of time to care for others when we

monopolize a care giver. Theft of recognition for others when we focus only on our own

rights, interests and convenience.

Stealing isn't corrected by simply ceasing; it doesn't change until you decide to do good.

Ephesians 4:28 tells us that if you steal, you must steal no more, but rather work, doing

good with your hands, so that you can share with those in need.

Cherishing and respecting community; recognizing that the importance of relationship is

more important than possessions and existence. This is the future and our hope.

2. When we consider the question of responsibility between those who entrust their

property to others and the receivers, we must remember that we always stand before

God. All vows are fulfilled before God, and we must remember that He sees everything

we do with His fiery eyes. We must remember that we stand before His light, and that

darkness inevitably disappears when light comes.

3. God created a system of sharing, to offer new opportunities to restore our lost selves,

and to help those who cannot survive on their own. While we cannot fully understand

God, we can strive to live as He has taught us. The word of the Lord, from this earth

onward, is to honor one another with the heart of God. God cares deeply and desires

that we live in good relationships with our neighbors; transcending legal justice and

embracing God's spirit of love and justice; and living in loving harmony.

The United States Bill of Rights declares that no authority should oppress citizens' rights

and freedoms through law. We must remember that respecting one another's rights in

the Lord and treating others with God's heart are the most important rights.

Just as our own rights and freedoms are precious and valuable, so too are the freedoms

and rights of others. But even more precious is that these precious freedoms and values

can be graciously organized and protected in love when they are united in the Lord.

This is your spiritual Bill of Rights.

I hope you will keep this blessing and Authority well and share it with your neighbors.

God bless you.

Your pastor,

Oon Don