No Honor Among Thieves
Notes
Transcript
Thievery was a serious issue in the Old Testament, and it continues to be a serious issue United States today.
Larceny-theft is the most common form of property crime, with over 4.51 million reported cases in 2023.
Shoplifting cost retailers an estimated $45.0 billion in 2024, with projections indicating it could cost over $53 billion by 2027.
Vehicle thefts In 2024, there were approximately 850,708 vehicles stolen in the United States
We are constantly being bombarded by scammers, trying to get ahold of our bank and credit card information.
Businesses don’t always deal fairly.
On the other hand, stories such as Robin Hood have glorified theft, if we perceive that it is for a good cause.
Today, people think nothing of stealing from “greedy corporations”.
Maybe it’s outright theft, maybe it’s lying in order to get something they aren’t entitled to.
It could be in the form of fraudulent returns, or frivolous lawsuits.
Perhaps it’s a case of insurance fraud.
It could be as simple as taking pens or paper from the office without permission.
No matter the case, no matter what you think of the victim, it still amounts to theft.
It is very likely that at some point in our lives, that each of us has probably stolen something, no matter how small.
God; however, takes a very dim view of theft. So much so, that it made #8 on His top ten list of bad things.
Theft, according to God’s law, was punishable on a graded scale.
Theft, according to God’s law, was punishable on a graded scale.
A 200-percent penalty was levied if the property was returned unharmed.
A 200-percent penalty was levied if the property was returned unharmed.
Exodus 22:4
Exodus 22:4
If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
400 or 500-percent penalty if the property was damaged or destroyed.
400 or 500-percent penalty if the property was damaged or destroyed.
Exodus 22:1
Exodus 22:1
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.
700-percent penalty if the property stolen was food.
700-percent penalty if the property stolen was food.
Proverbs 6:30-31
Proverbs 6:30-31
People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.
Personal indenture was enforced if the thief could not pay the monetary levy.
Personal indenture was enforced if the thief could not pay the monetary levy.
Exodus 22:3
Exodus 22:3
If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Unfair business practices that defraud either customers or employees would also be considered theft.
Unfair business practices that defraud either customers or employees would also be considered theft.
Leviticus 19:35-36
Leviticus 19:35-36
‘You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
In our personal lives, we are expected to repay our debts and pay our taxes. Failure to do so makes us a thief.
In our personal lives, we are expected to repay our debts and pay our taxes. Failure to do so makes us a thief.
Romans 13:5-8
Romans 13:5-8
Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Matthew 22:17-21
Matthew 22:17-21
Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
It is even possible for us to steal from God.
It is even possible for us to steal from God.
Malachi 3:8
Malachi 3:8
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
We can infer that disobedience to tithing is a more dangerous infraction of the eighth commandment than mere “burglary.”
In fact, People go to great lengths to justify not tithing. They may even say “I’ll tithe my time”
Tithing is not a substitute for heartfelt service, it is a debt.
In fact, tithing and service are two different things. We tithe our increase (money), not our time.
In Scripture, tithing always refers to money or other tangible goods (i.e. Crops).
If we merely tithed our time, we'd be very negligent in our service.
Our entire life should be devoted to God, not just 10% of it.
You can't get out of tithing your earnings by saying I'll tithe my time or talents. That is completely unscriptural.
The problem is, the more we get, the more we want to keep.
We make all types of financial commitments, but are reluctant to commit to a tithe.
God doesn’t ask us to tithe, He demands it.
God doesn’t ask us to tithe, He demands it.
Malachi 3:10
Malachi 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
The purpose of tithing is to secure not the tithe, but the tither.
It’s not the possessions but the possessor.
It builds faith, and brings you closer to the Lord.
You’.ll begin to rely more on God
You’ll have more peace (less worry) about your finances, because you’ll know that God is in control.
You will develop a closer relationship with Christ.
You’ll increase in faith.
But when we withhold our tithes, we steal from God. We violate the eighth commandment.
If you break one commandment you break them all.
If you break one commandment you break them all.
James 2:10
James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
If you’re guilty, you need Jesus Christ.
If you’re guilty, you need Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It’s not merely money we are stealing from Him, it is our hearts.
We are stealing from Him that which He has paid such a high price for.
