The Clawing Away Of Theft
The Dragon and the Claws of Aslan
In C.S. Lewis's The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, we meet Eustace, a boy consumed by selfishness and greed. His heart, corrupted by a relentless pursuit of his own desires, ultimately betrays him, leading to a terrifying transformation. After stumbling upon a dragon's treasure hoard, Eustace succumbs to a curse and becomes a dragon himself. His monstrous outward form now mirrors the festering inner corruption of his own heart. Now, as a dragon, Eustace is isolated, trapped within his own hideous skin, burdened by a body that no longer allows him to enjoy the life he once knew.
But hope appears in the form of Aslan, the great lion. Aslan, seeing beyond Eustace's grotesque exterior, understands that the only way to truly save him is to strip away the scales that have become his prison. Desperate to be free, Eustace tries to remove them himself, scratching and peeling at the layers of his dragon skin. But no matter how hard he tries, the scales stubbornly regrow. Finally, Aslan speaks: "You will have to let me undress you." With his powerful claws, Aslan tears deep into Eustace's dragon hide, ripping it off in a way that is both agonizingly painful and profoundly liberating. When it's over, Eustace is a boy again—transformed, renewed, and restored to the life he was always meant to live.
The Law as Aslan's Claws
This story illustrates what God's law does to us. Like Aslan's claws, the law cuts deep into the hardened layers of sin that encase our hearts. It is painful, often excruciating, as it exposes the corruption we try so desperately to hide. Yet, it is absolutely necessary if we are ever to experience the true freedom and joy that Christ offers. As a pastor, I pray every week that God will use His law in His service to rip away the scales of sin that have encrusted all of us. Today, we confront one of these razor-sharp claws: the 8th commandment, "You shall not steal," and pray the Lord removes more of our dragony hide, ripping off the scales of greed, dishonesty, and theft, laying bare the corruption beneath.
Ripping Off the Scales of Theft
This commandment, like all the others before it, is God's holy spotlight, illuminating our deceit, lies, manipulations, and the thefts that we disguise under the veil of things like “business acumen”, “cleverness”, “financial stewardship”, or a twisted form of “frugality”. And as we will see, this commandment applies to every one of us. Consider this: Have you ever exaggerated the value of something to secure a better deal? Cut corners, delivered less than promised, or squeezed every last drop out of a deal, leaving your 'partners' parched? That is theft. Have you ever delayed payment, withholding what you owed? That, too, is a form of theft, a refusal to fulfill your obligations.
And what about your relationships? Have you withheld affection from your spouse, refusing to give what is due by virtue of your marriage vows? This, too, is theft—stealing the love and attention your spouse deserves.
How many of us have justified not tithing to our local church? Perhaps you've convinced yourself it's just an Old Testament practice, or maybe you've prioritized other expenses over honoring God. But Malachi 3:8 cuts through these justifications: "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings." When we withhold what belongs to God, we are stealing from Him. It's not just a financial issue—it's a heart issue, a spiritual issue, a violation of God's command.
Solomon echoes this in Proverbs 11:1: "A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight." Have you been using a 'false balance' when it comes to your giving to God and others? Maybe not with scales and weights, but with words and numbers, bending them just enough to benefit yourself while cheating others? God sees it all, and where there is deceit, there is no delight in the Lord.
Faithfulness isn't just about showing up; it's about delivering what you promised—whether that's time, money, or any other resource. If you've been slack, cutting corners, or making excuses—whether in business, relationships, or your service to God—you are guilty of theft. Luke 16:10 offers a sobering reminder: "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much, and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." Even the smallest act of unfaithfulness is significant in the eyes of God. A justification not to tithe may seem trivial to you, but it matters greatly to God. He not only commands us to give Him 10% of everything we own but also commands us to do so with joy, not begrudgingly or under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver.
Many of us have stolen from our employers by showing up late, robbing them of time, playing games on company time, scrolling on social media instead of doing work, or by working with a bad attitude, robbing them of our best effort. There is no difference between these things and falsifying hours. In both scenarios, we are receiving pay for work we didn't do. This demands repentance.
Many of us have stolen from God—robbing the Lord of time that should be spent in fellowship with Him, talents that should be used to serve Him, and offerings that should be given in His name.
And many of us are robbing one another—whether it's robbing our families of our time, our friends of our help, or our loved ones of our affection and support.
All of us have stolen in some way. The question is, where? Where have we become thieves in the eyes of God? Whatever it is, it's a sin. It's theft. And God despises it. Repentance is not just advisable; it's imperative.
A Call to Repent
In these next few moments, take time to admit to God where you've sinned—where you've been unfaithful, dishonest, unjust, and where you've withheld from God or others what is due. Confess it to God, seek His forgiveness, and make it right. Restore what you've taken. Correct the wrongs. Do it now because we heap up judgment every moment we delay.
Just as Eustace had to endure the searing pain of Aslan's claws to be freed from his dragon scales, so must we face the painful truth of God's law as it exposes our sin. But remember, through this pain, we find the freedom, joy, and transformation that only Christ can bring. Don't resist the claws—let them do their work, and let Christ set you free.
