“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15, ESV).

     Last Thursday, the security cameras at a toy shop in Tabatinga, Brazil recorded a dog wandering into the store. The footage revealed the dog latching onto a stuffed sheep, then attempting a fast get-away. To the dog’s chagrin, the toy animal became stuck in the doorway leaving the pup no choice but to drop its newly found prize. Life can be ruff when you’re a stray (oops, I mean rough).

     Stealing is not a crime we tend to think about often. (Unless the person stealing happens to be someone other than the one staring back at us in the mirror.) Yet I’m afraid many of us are more often guilty of larcenous acts than we realize.

     While shoplifting and burglary are indeed violations of the eighth commandment, so too is borrowing an item from a friend and not returning it. The lack of punctuality is a means of stealing another person’s time. Watching pirated movies is an act of appropriating a piece of intellectual property that belongs to someone else. Even taking credit for an accomplishment that belongs to a colleague is as egregious in God’s sight as embezzling money from a bank. Even telling what you consider to be a white lie is a way of pilfering trust from a longstanding friendship.

     However, Jesus taught his followers to add, rather than take, a value from others. Among other things, Jesus encouraged us to accept one another, to serve one another, and to honor one another above ourselves. Pastor and author, John Maxwell, claims, “People who add value to others do so intentionally.” Such persons are deliberate in leaving others better than they were when we found them. The intent is to enrich and enhance their quality of life.

     Albert Pike once said, “What we have done for ourselves alone, dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal.” What we do for others in Jesus’ name is what last and what counts. The ones who frequently encourage others, forgive others, and unconditionally love others are the MVPs (that’s Most VALUABLE Player) in any family, team, or organization.

     Now, to that stray dog in Brazil and to those like him, I pray you will receive what your hearts desire most. Even more, I pray each of you will make it a greater mission to give others what all of humanity needs most. Seek to become a world-class MVP.