“The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why are you on the ground? Israel has sinned. They have violated My covenant that I appointed for them. They have taken some of what was set apart. They have stolen, deceived, and put the things with their own belongings. This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from you what is set apart.” (Joshua 7:10–12, HCSB)

When God allows His people to take possession of something for Himself, He blesses His people. However, when His people lose sight of the fact that all property and wealth is God’s property and wealth, it can become dangerous.

These verses describe the importance of “setting apart” the property of God. Instead, the people stole this property (property designated to God) and made the property part of their own. What does God say? The people of Israel cannot win. When I take what is God’s and make it mine, I can’t stand against my enemies. God, in essence, turns against us and chases against us when we take from Him what is His property.

This has an application on a personal level. It also applies to churches, associations, as well as state and national conventions.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash