You shall not steal.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.

Today’s Bible Verses: Proverbs 14:21

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

Until Friday this devotional, we will reflect upon the Ten Commandments. If you do not have a physical copy of the updated Small Catechism, you can purchase one at Amazon by clicking here. If you wish to download a copy onto a Kindle or iPad, you can click here for the Kindle edition and click here for the Apple Books version.

When Jesus was anointed with expensive perfume that was suggested not be wasted on Jesus but sold and the money given to the poor. What was Jesus’ response? “You’ll always have the poor with you…” He is right. There are many poor and needy people within our communities where the church can stand up and help. When we fail to help those in need, we are stealing from the commands of God. He wants us to see the poor and help them. Even if we only have pennies to spare, helping others is an important reminder to God’s grace, mercy, and love to us.

PRAYERS

Keep in Your Prayers:

1. Pray for the homeless, the unemployed, the underemployed, and those living in substandard housing today.

2. Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Prayer for Tuesday:

You are indeed a God of grace and mercy who shows His love toward His people daily. Make the hearts of Your children to show the same qualities to those in our communities who are struggling. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Luther’s Morning Prayer:

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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