Commandment Eight

Exodus 20:15 ““You shall not steal.”

1. Stealing holds a two-part interpretation, and both are equally used throughout scripture

a. Material possessions

Exodus 22:7 ““If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.”

b. Kidnapping

Exodus 21:16 ““Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.

note: There is clearly a higher value placed on a human life than material possessions

2. Sin is equal in the sight of God

James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

3. We see a shift in the consequences for breaking the eighth commandment

4. Stealing has no place in the life of a believer.

Ephesians 4:28 “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.”