Security

by Sam Brock

“Hey! Somebody stole my dollar! Ohh, never mind, here it is.” “Hey! Who took my shirt? Oh yeah, I put it in my dirty clothes bag, sorry.” On occasion, we blame someone else for our disorganization. Have you really been stolen from? Those who have remember in vivid detail when something was stolen from them.

A few months ago our ministry was stolen from—and not just a couple of dollars. At first, we wondered who and then asked why. A couple of weeks later it happened again, and we began to ask ourselves, “What is our stewardship responsibility in a world that is sinful and wicked?” Asking advice from a “security expert” is like asking an insurance salesman how much insurance you need. We realized good stewardship of our things was going to require more security, but we didn’t want to rest in our system as the provider of safety. What is the balance? What does the Bible have to say about security?

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Ezekiel 34:25–26 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land:  and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

Proverbs 18:10–11 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Nehemiah 7:1–3 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

Truth from God’s Word

▪ God alone gives me safety—Psalm 4:8.
▪ God controls the animals and keeps me safe even in an unsafe place—Ezekiel 34:25.
▪ God executes judgment on other people in order to provide safety—Ezekiel 28:26.
▪ God provides safety to Christians so that HE will be glorified—Ezekiel 28:26.
▪ God is compared to a secure place; we should run to Him not a place—Proverbs 18:10.
▪ Trust in my “safety systems” or security is an evidence of pride—Proverbs 18:11.
▪ Fear is a trap; trust God and be safe—Proverbs 29:25.
▪ In an ungodly world, a safety system is not wicked—Nehemiah 7:1–3.
▪ Head of security needs the qualifications of faithfulness and fear of God above man—Nehemiah 7:2.

Practical Uses of a Lock, Security System, or Padlock

▪ They are not a provider of safety.
▪ They are a form of communication.

– Where do and don’t I belong?
– What is available? If the door is open, then I must be able to enter, use, etc.
– Somebody needs to know, or I need to ask before I have access or can use.

▪ They are a method of accountability

– Limited access means that only the people with access have responsibility.
– When the security is breached, it usually means someone who doesn’t normally have access is trying to gain access.

▪ Understanding man’s selfish desires, security is used to deter those that

– want to enjoy the pleasure of destruction;
– want to take something that is not theirs and can be used or sold for their own lusts;
– want to express their dislike of Christians.

Questions That Must be Answered

▪ Am I using a lock to avoid a possible confrontation?
▪ How much security is too much? Is there such a thing as too little security?
▪ What is the difference between a security system and safety?
▪ Do I place value on what I have access to? Do I want a bunch of keys/codes?
▪ What is the use of a “common” key/code?
▪ Do I understand the temptation to steal/embezzle? Do we make no provision for those temptations in our ministry?