June 17
Choosing What’s
Right
“Do not steal.”
Exodus 20:15 (NIrV)
Zac had a reputation at school. Not for being the star athlete or the class clown, but for his nerve. He was the kid who could walk into a store, grab a candy bar or a pair of sunglasses, and stroll out like he owned the place. “The police won’t waste their time over a candy bar,” he’d brag to his friends, flashing a mischievous grin.
At first, it felt thrilling—getting something for nothing. He told himself it wasn’t hurting anyone. The stores were big chains, and they made tons of money anyway. But as time went on, Zac started taking bigger risks. Once, he stuffed a pair of earbuds into his pocket at the electronics store. Another time, he swiped a hoodie off the clearance rack. Each time, the knot in his stomach got a little tighter, but he shrugged it off.
One afternoon, Zac was at the mall when he spotted an older woman working behind the counter of a small family-owned shop. She looked tired but kind, chatting with a customer about how her husband had recently retired. Zac glanced around the store. There were no cameras, no security guards. As the woman turned to ring up the customer, Zac’s eyes landed on a leather bracelet by the counter. His fingers itched to grab it.
But then, something unexpected happened. The older woman turned to him and smiled warmly. “Can I help you, sweetheart?” she asked. Her genuine kindness caught him off guard. For the first time, Zac felt a deep sense of shame. What had he been doing all this time? He wasn’t just taking things—he was taking trust, joy, and hard work away from people like her.
That night, Zac couldn’t sleep. He kept replaying the woman’s smile in his mind and how close he’d come to stealing from her. Feeling overwhelmed, he opened his Bible, something he hadn’t done in a long time. His eyes fell on Exodus 20:15: “Do not steal.”
It was such a simple command, but it hit Zac hard. He realized that what he thought was harmless fun was breaking a rule God had clearly set. More than that, he was hurting people and distancing himself from the person God wanted him to be. With tears in his eyes, Zac whispered a prayer: “God, I’m sorry. I’ve been so wrong. Please help me change.”
The next day, Zac returned to the small shop. He didn’t take anything, but he left a little note on the counter: “Thank you for your kindness. I’m learning to be better.” From that moment on, Zac made a decision to earn what he wanted and respect what belonged to others. It wasn’t easy, but he felt lighter, freer, and closer to God with each step he took toward honesty.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for teaching us to live in truth and integrity.
I ask for forgiveness for the times I’ve taken what wasn’t mine, whether out of carelessness or selfishness.
Help me to honor You by respecting others and their work.
Give me the strength to walk in honesty, even when it’s hard, and to always seek Your guidance in making the right choices.
May my actions reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
