The Eighth Commandment- Ex. 20:15

We come to the 8th of the 10 Commandments, a commandment that prohibits theft.

The 8th Commandment provides us with a God-centered view of property, our relationship to people and to creation, and reminds us of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I. The General Sentiments of the Command- Ex. 20:15

We will begin this morning’s study by establishing some foundational truths to help us see the importance of this command. This command, like the others, is grounded in the God who has given them.

A. The Command displays the Justice of God- Deut. 32:4

Each one of the commands stems from God Himself. He is God, and God alone, and the only One whom we should worship (Commandments 1–4). He is God, and is the originator of all authority in human relationships (Commandment 5). He is God, the giver and taker of life (Commandment 6). He is God, the faithful God (Commandment 7). Here we have a prohibition against the taking of someone else’s goods, display the justice of God.

B. The Command was Given to Us in Creation- Gen. 1:26–30

We also see that this commandment, as with the others, has ties all the way back to creation. God has gifted humanity with creation and all of its goods and blessings, to be cultivated for our needs and enjoyments and the accomplishing of God’s glory. We are simply stewards of all that God has given to us, including financial goods, physical goods, and creational goods.

Christians in particular should care for our families through financial stewardship and creational stewardship.

C. Protects individuals (and creation) from theft - Ex. 20:15

At its root, this command protects our private goods, those goods God has entrusted to us or has provided in exchange for our labors (or, money).

II. The Particulars of the Command- Selected Scriptures

“God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.” The Baptist Faith & Message 2000, XIII. Stewardship

A. Preliminary Considerations

We are placed in our various positions by God Himself- in our families, our communities and countries, and our economic stations

We are called to work for our goods, to provide for our families’ need, and to give to those in need- God creates us with different abilities, capabilities, and sometimes disabilities

“For we must consider, that what each individual possesses has not fallen to him by chance, but by the distribution of the sovereign Lord of all, that no one can pervert his means to bad purposes without committing a fraud on a divine dispensation.” John Calvin, Institutes Book II, 259

“Nor is the possession of riches unlawful per se, provided they are acquired in lawful ways and we see them as means, not enjoy them as an end.” Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 2, 124

“Therefore avarice consists not in the execution but in the disposition; not in the riches, but in the desire for and unlawful use of them.”Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vol. 2, 124

B. People in Authority Stealing from their Subordinates

Here we think of governmental authorities, professional authorities, and familial authorities. Governments steal from their citizens with foolish spending. We have ample evidence of this in our own country. And R. Kent Hughes is right when he says, “Deficit spending is really a way of stealing from future citizens.” (Exodus, 602)

Employers can be guilty of breaking this commandment, too. They can not pay fair wages, they can cut workers to maximize their profits while expecting the current employees to perform the same amount of work as the entire force did prior.

Familial authorities can also be guilty. A father who foolishly spends money, a wife who does not tell her husband about money she wasted, etc.

C. Subordinates Stealing from their Superiors

Again, taking the three types of authorities, we will see how the subordinates can steal from their superiors.

Citizens can steal from the government by not paying taxes. Citizens can also make false claims for disability and social security. They can wastefully use programs and gifts that others have provided.

Employees can be guilty of stealing from their employers. They can steal time but not working or doing the best to their ability. R. Kent Hughes says, “Employee theft of time and property costs American businesses and their investors more than 200 billion dollars a year.” (Exodus, 603)There is also the theft from business.

Familial theft is also common. Children foolishly wasting food, not taking care of their physical goods are demonstrations of this as well.

D. Equals stealing from One another

Here we are thinking of individuals stealing from one another, or even groups (thinking in terms of Marxism or “wealth redistribution”). These should be, but unfortunately are not, self-evident. There is no doubt that many in human history have taken advantage of others. By charging excessive interest, stealing through taxes or immoral practices, and other means people have taken from others and padded their own pockets.

E. Types of Theft

Money

Property

Physical Goods

Time

Attention

Affection

III. The Beauty of this Command

What does it look like if we obey this prohibition against theft? It is beautiful!

A. Contentedness- Hebrews 13:5–6

When we do not steal from others, we can demonstrate contentedness. Contentedness is a recognition that God is capable of providing for all our needs without our sinful intervention through theft. When others in our families, our workplaces, or in our citizenship see our refusal to steal, they will see contentedness in God. We will display the Gospel, that the thing we most desperately need God has provided!

B. Economy and frugality- Proverbs 27:23–27

Proverbs is filled with practical demonstrations of the obedience of this command. In these verses we see a care for one’s goods and their wise use. If we are to obey this command not to steal it will require work on our part in the care of and preservation of our goods.

C. Sincerity and justice- Lev. 19:35–37

Our dealings with others should always display fairness, sincerity, and justice. It is a reflection of the character of God (as we discusses earlier). All people should be treated the same, regardless of their economic status (rich or poor), ethnicity, gender, or age.

D. Liberality to the poor and needy- Eph. 4:28

Rather than accumulating goods through sinful means, we are to work hard with the goal of not only meeting our needs but also liberally giving to the poor and needy.

E. Jesus Christ- Matt. 27:32–44; Luke 23:39–43

We have arrived at our last point to consider this morning, and this is by far the sweetest and most delightful them all.

Perhaps at this point the Spirit of God and the Word of God have performed spiritual surgery on your heart, opening up the disgusting pits and festering wounds of your depraved hearts and causing you to despair. I know as I prepared this message the Lord showed my the wickedness of my own heart, and I wondered, how could He love me?

Because of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have read the crucifixion of Jesus Christ multiple times. But it wasn’t until I was preparing for this sermon that I realized that Jesus was crucified between two robbers. These two mocked the innocent and perfect and infinitely generous Jesus, and one through the grace of God repents, and notice Jesus’ words to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (LUKE 23:40–43)

Are you broken over your sin? Take heart! A bruised reed Christ will not break (Matt. 12:20).

You were stingy, but Christ was generous.

You selfishly stole, but Christ selflessly gives.

You deceptively gained, but Christ genuinely loves.

Let all of us bruised reeds and smoking flaxes cast ourselves at the feet of the lovely Lord Jesus, who will in no wise cast us out.

The 8th Commandment provides us with a God-centered view of property, our relationship to people and to creation, and reminds us of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.