He’s Not Trying to Rob You

There is a scene in Lord of the Rings where Gandalf confronts Bilbo about his secret Ring—the One Ring of Power. The Ring has an evil hold on Bilbo, and Gandalf knows it. When Gandalf tells Bilbo he should get rid of it, Bilbo yells at him in anger, saying the Ring is his own property and that he deserves to have it. He questions Gandalf’s motives, suggesting the wizard just wants the ring for himself.

Gandalf responds in a booming (and startling) voice:

“BILBO BAGGINS! Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks… I am not trying to rob you. I am trying to help you.”

We often view God as Bilbo viewed Gandalf.

We see him as a robber trying to steal from us the things we love, making us settle for less-joyful, more “pious” things.

Just like in the Garden, we believe satan’s lie that God is holding out on us, that He is keeping us from the Good Life, and that if we only take matters into our own hands, we can be happy.

But Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He says, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

According to Him, He didn’t come to steal and destroy. He came to shepherd people into life.

But, like any good shepherd knows, there are some things that are bad for sheep. If a sheep wanders off on its own, it will get will lost. If it eats a poisonous plant, it will die.

In the same way, the Good Shepherd won’t allow His people to live in sin, with unhealthy attachments, or with stagnant faith. He knows these things don’t lead to life.

So yes, Jesus will take things away. He often does. But not as a thief or a robber—but as a loving Shepherd.

Because He wants to give us good things—things that are good, pleasing, and perfect.

Above all, He wants to give us Himself.

Why? Because He is true Life. We were made for Him. And He will do what is necessary to rid us of the things that keep us from Him.

So, like Bilbo, we must fight the urge to hold onto the Ring.

The Ring promises life but doesn’t provide it.

If He’s calling you to let something go… let it go.

Take hold of Life.

He’s not trying to rob you.

He’s trying to help you.