Test?...Or blessing in disguise?

**Nell** · September-17th-2010, 07:31 PM

Okay guys...last dumb question of the week...I promise!! I KNOW this has happened to some of you before!!!!

After teaching all day today, I ran a lot of errands, besides going to the store...and I am the QUEEN of scatterbrains (just ask my students), so I am VERY understanding/tolerant when others are scatterbrained around me, and maybe this person was just "out of it".

When I got in my car on the way home from errands (still in the parking lot), I realized that I was given two (2) of something that I had only paid (or supposed to be given) one (1). Let me add, the item was something I REALLY wanted/needed, and I had prayed earlier today that I would have time, energy, resources to get it after school.

Now keep in mind, this is one of those things that "probably" wouldn't have been missed, because the store is so big. However, it is a pricey item (in my opinion). The person that "rung me up" is sort of like the owner, and he and I were chit chatting, and he even seemed to have pitty on me because it was obvious that I was tired, and rest was not in the near future. Because this was the guy in charge, he would totally have the authority to "give" me something. But let me re-emphasize it was VERY valuable, and I DOUBT he has done this for anyone else.

Long story short....when I went back in, he was busy, so I just returned it to the people at the front, explaining that I had not paid for it (kind of asking if it was okay to keep because I REALLY, really, really wanted to keep it and hoping they would say "oh, don't worry about it" wink wink). When I tell you that this is something that the average Joe would NOT have returned....please believe me....IT IS.

However; THEY LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS A COMPLETE IDIOT, rolled their eyes, and said "yes, this must have been a mistake". Guys, I am not one of those people looking for a "kudos" for doing the right thing, so I really wasn't looking for a "thank you" or anything. But these people made me feel like a COMPLETE idiot, and all the way home that is how I felt...and it was like there was a little voice coming from my passenger side saying "you big dummy", and I started thinking to myself " I should have just kept it".

So, does God ever "bless" people in this manner...or do you think it was a test? I kinda feel like if it was the right thing to do, I wouldn't feel so stupid about it...or even writing about it, but I don't like looking a "gift horse" in the mouth. All opinions are welcome! Please help! I truly feel like an idiot? Does God test our honesty in this way?...or did I just give away my blessing of the day?

**mattfivefour** · September-17th-2010, 07:42 PM

Sis, I think you did exactly what the Spirit of God inside you would have you do. Sanctification is a sovereign work of God in us, but we need to cooperate by making correct moral choices based on His Word. His word is clear and you acted in accordance with that. No person who obeys God is ever a fool for doing so. Those who think they can skirt the edges with God are the fools.

Congratulations. You did excellently!

**Keeplookinup** · September-17th-2010, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by mattfivefour

Sis, I think you did exactly what the Spirit of God inside you would have you do. Sanctification is a sovereign work of God in us, but we need to cooperate by making correct moral choices based on His Word. His word is clear and you acted in accordance with that. No person who obeys God is ever a fool for doing so. Those who think they can skirt the edges with God are the fools.

Congratulations. You did excellently!

Agreed! Taking something (whether intentional or not) without paying for it, to me, is equal to stealing. If the owner handed it to you and said "it's on the house" or something like that, well then I would consider it a gift. Otherwise, I think it was a test to check your integrity. I would say you "passed" with flying colors!

The Lord knows your heart!

**myinnuendo999** · September-17th-2010, 08:33 PM

You did the right thing and honored God.

The world doesn't understand cause I had an incident where this Guy gave me way more money than he should have when I was delivering pizza one day. I gave the money back and all he could say was, He would NOT have given it back but that he would have kept it.

The world is full of greed and self and they don't understand the ways of God and true love.

God bless you

**Nell** · September-17th-2010, 08:57 PM

Thanks guys for replying so quickly and confirming whether or not I did what God would have wanted. I am in tears. You don't know just how hard that was for me to do. And you know what? I feel like if my faith was stronger, I wouldn't be in certain situations and I wouldn't have had to struggle with returning it in the first place. I shouldn't have even entertained the thought of keeping it, and for THAT I am highly ashamed.

**Keeplookinup** · September-18th-2010, 01:26 AM

Originally Posted by Nell

Thanks guys for replying so quickly and confirming whether or not I did what God would have wanted. I am in tears. You don't know just how hard that was for me to do. And you know what? I feel like if my faith was stronger, I wouldn't be in certain situations and I wouldn't have had to struggle with returning it in the first place. I shouldn't have even entertained the thought of keeping it, and for THAT I am highly ashamed.

Ah dear Nell...the fact that you were tempted isn't the sin. You did NOT GIVE IN to temptation; therefore your faith is a lot stronger than you think! And, it will grow even stronger the more you get into God's Word and are able to recognize His voice...as you did in this situation!

**myinnuendo999** · September-18th-2010, 02:27 PM

I think of the verse in Proverbs that says "Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.Pr.13:6.

God weighs our motives dear one and he knows everything and loves us because of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ we are His CHILD.

God gives us the freedom to learn who truly can satisfy our every need and desire. Sometimes He allows us to see our ugly hearts and it hurts but he wants us to be HONEST with HIM.

He loves YOU and he just longs to be your everything dear one. So sometimes he has to allow us to see where our hearts really are and in the process we are weaned off of the things of this world and God's love and grace teaches us where the true riches are--JESUS. We ALL have our different struggles in life and we learn through what we suffer-obedience that comes from faith in the Lord Jesus as or supreme treasure

"How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!"Proverbs 16:16

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

**king'sbloomingrose** · September-18th-2010, 10:15 PM

Don't worry, sis! You did the right thing and it shows that you love God more than you cared about yourself.

It's a hard, hard test and one that comes in many different shapes and forms.

**Hannah** · September-19th-2010, 08:57 PM

Here is your answer from God's Word:-

LK 16:10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?