I Wa-a-a-nt! - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

"I want the doll with the hair that grows, and the clothes that
go with her,

and new roller blades,

and the phone that really talks

and a Cinderella video, and perfume

and new pajamas . . .

. . . OH, YEAH. . .

I want the car, and the studio, and the house for the
doll,

and a new purse,

and . . . "

"WAIT A MINUTE! You need to let me tell what I want!"

"I want a zoom car race track, and a 12-speed bike, and a monster
truck,

and the talking aliens space station

and a ping-pong table,

and a big trampoline,

and a super-hero costume,

and a
Mega-Millions
Game,

and .
. ."

HEY! You didn't let me finish. I want . . .

Oh my! It seems as if this could go on all day! This is the way
it is in the Smith household. Every time a new catalog or sales
ad comes in the mail, the children gather around and pick and
choose all the things they think they want.

What do you think happens when they receive some of
these things?
Do you think they appreciate what they receive?
Do you think they are happy?
How long will that happiness last?

--------------------

Achan and his family lived in a tent. Yes, that might sound
strange to you, because your family and the people you know
probably live in houses or apartment buildings. But, living in
tents was quite common for Achan and his friends.

Achan had everything he needed. He had his tent-home. He had a
flock of sheep for wool to make clothing. He had herds of cattle
for milk and meat. He had a wife and children that loved him.
Achan should have been very happy. But he wasn't.
Achan -- wanted -- more.

One day Achan saw some very lovely things. He saw:

a beautiful robe from Babylon,
and a piece of gold,
and some silver coins.

As he looked at those items, he thought, "I sure would like to
have all that. My clothes are made from sheep's wool. That robe
from Babylon is much nicer than the clothing I have. It would
look so good on me. And if I had that gold and those silver
coins, why, I could buy anything I want."

Achan thought it all over in his mind. The more he thought about
it, the better it sounded. The new robe and all that money was
just too good to pass up. He couldn't just leave it there. After
all, if he didn't take it, someone else would come along and take
it, right? He finally made his decision. Achan picked up the gold
and the silver coins and put them in a safe place. Then he
carefully placed the expensive robe over his shoulder so it would
not get dirty or wrinkled. Achan was so happy as he journeyed
home. He almost couldn't believe his good fortune.

After Achan got home with his treasures, he began to think more
about what he had done. He thought, "None of my friends have a
robe like this one. It is so special that if I wear it, they will
wonder where I got it. I can't tell them I found it and stole
it." Then he thought about the gold and the silver. "If I take
this gold to the market and try to buy new things, people will
wonder how I got the gold. Only the rich people have gold and I
am not rich. I can't use the silver either, because it is not
from my country, and they will know that I have stolen it. What
can I do now?"

Achan began to dig a hole. He dug a deep hole in the ground under
his tent. In that hole, he buried the robe, the gold, and the
silver. "Ah, that takes care of that!" He thought. "It is all
under the ground, and no one will ever know what I have done."

Problem is, Achan forgot about Yahweh. Achan forgot that Yahweh sees
everything and knows what he did. In the end, Achan had to be
punished for the sin he committed.

--------------------

THINK!

Do you think it is wrong or sinful to want things?
If you see something that doesn't look like it belongs to anyone
is it all right to take it?
What should Achan have done when he saw the robe, the gold, and
the silver coins?

--------------------

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have" (Hebrews 13:5a).

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear Yahweh, thank You for all the good things You have
given us, such as our family, home, clothing, and food.
Help us learn to be happy with what we have and not to be
tempted to steal in order to get the things we think
we want. Let us remember that You are always watching
over us, and help us to only do those things that
will be pleasing to You. In Yah'shua's Name. Amen.
****************************************************

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
Joshua 7:19-26

You can view this Bible story in full color with pictures and
resources to go along with the story at
http://childrenschapel.org/biblestories/iwant.html

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