Stealing

Introduction

(My stealing story…)

This morning we are going to look at the eighth commandment in our Encounter with the Ten and see we all must deal honestly with God and with other people when it comes to possessions.

Turn to Deut. 5:19

Body

When I think of the word “stealing,” the first thoughts that come to my mind is someone with pantyhose over his face holding up a bank or gas station…or my journey into big time candy theft from Bart’s Mini-Mart.

And while both are stealing and sinful in the eyes of God, we need to understand that stealing is something that we can all fall into the trap of, even if you don’t rob a bank or steal boxes of disgusting treats.

OT Context:

The Hebrew verb translated as “steal” means to take without the owner’s consent.

Throughout the OT, stealing is treated as a serious issue with serious consequences.

It is linked with dealing falsely and lying to people.

A thief was expected to pay restitution to a person they stole from, typically the cost of the item doubled.

A person convicted of kidnapping was to be killed.

Stealing was often linked with those who were too lazy to work for themselves and the greedy.

And, in one of the ugliest examples of stealing in the OT, we see Achan steals some valuable items from Jericho; some of which were to be destroyed and others were meant to go to the service of God. Achan’s sin would result in Israel being defeated by the small city of Ai, thirty-six Jewish men being killed in the conflict, and Achan his family being stoned to death.

All of this because God wants His people to honor personal property.

“Property is sacred because it is the fruit of our labor and our intelligence, and often because it is tied to some of the deepest elements of memory and sentiment. Property is important not necessarily [because] we are materialistic, but because property is so much a part of our very person, including memory, achievement, and dreams.”

Thus, God wants us to treat another person with love and respect by not taking the fruit of their labor or intelligence without consent.

And therefore, there is a law pertaining to personal property.

Interestingly, however, the OT Law was far less brutal when it came to stealing than the laws of their neighbors. Throughout the ANE people were often killed or maimed for stealing. In OT Law, typically the focus was restitution, not death or cutting off body parts. This was because, when it comes to human relationships, a person’s relationship with God, honoring human life, and honoring the marital relationship mattered much more than personal property. And yet, there is a clear call to payback what was stolen, and to pay extra as well.

What does Jesus say about this?

Unlike in the case of murder and adultery, Jesus did not have one of his, “You have heard it said…but I say to you” statements when it came to stealing. However, it is closely linked with one of Jesus most important commands.

To begin, look at what Paul says in Romans 13.

Romans 13:8–10 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Much of Jesus teaching in the NT focuses on the unconditional call to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. In fact:

Matthew 22:34–40 ESV

But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

If we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, then we must honor and respect another person’s property. Therefore, we should not steal.

Many, if not most of us here this morning would probably not classify ourselves as thieves. And rightfully so. But, I think we need to understand that stealing today is more than the guy with the pantyhose over his face or eleven year old Ben Trigsted stealing Nerds candy.

How might people steal today?

Stealing other people’s property and/or money;

It’s important to remember, however, there is no provision in Scripture for us to justify stealing from another person...

Failing to give;

Malachi 3:8 ESV

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Cheating;

Being lazy at work;

Colossians 3:23–25 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Being too lazy to work;

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Deceiving customers or employees;

Defaulting on loans;

Deceiving the government;

Small, seemingly insignificant ways...

Get the point? Anytime we try to take what we haven’t earned without consent, we are guilty of stealing.

Instead of that, look at Paul’s charge in Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

We are to do an honest days work, whatever we end up doing.

Additionally, instead of stealing, we need to give to others in need.

Consider this: stealing, whatever form it takes, stems from a heart that is not satisfied with the provisions and opportunities God has given. It says, in essence, “God isn’t giving me what I want, so I’m going to take it for myself!”

Instead of recognizing two truths:

God gives us what seems best to Him;

We often squander what God has given us on foolishness instead of using it wisely.

So What?

Do not steal, even in small, seemingly insignificant ways.

Do an honest day’s work.

Focus on using God’s provision wisely and blessing others.