Don't Steal: Deuteronomy 5:19

Introduction

Body

Exposition

To steal means to carry away the possession of another with steal and without consent.

Biblical Context

Don’t steal people: Exod 21:16; 1 Tim 1:8-10; Gen 37

Slavery/Indentured Servitude was permissible in the law. However, it was voluntary and temporary for most and an alternative to death: Lev 24:11, 16

Don’t steal land: Job 24:1-2

Don’t steal animals: Exod 22:1

Don’t steal wages: Jer 22:13; James 5:4

Don’t steal with excessive interest: Exod 22:25

Don’t steal with excessive loans: Psalm 37:21

Don’t steal using false weights: Deut 25:13-15

Scales were used to measure grain, gold, silver, or other commodities. Some merchants kept two scales, one accurate for them and one inaccurate to cheat others.

Don’t steal from God

Everything belongs to God: Ps 24:1; Job 1:21

Redemption from being stolen makes stealing an assault against redemption.

Our Failure

Have you broken this law?

If you say you have not taken the goods of another as Nomologista did to Evangelista in Edward Fisher’s second part of The Marrow of Modern Divinity, then consider Evangelista’s reply.

Evan. Though you did not, yet if there ever have been in your heart any discontentedness with your own estate, or any envious thoughts towards others in regard of their prosperity in the world, or any resolution to be rich, otherwise than by the moderate use of lawful means, or if ever you borrowed and paid not again, to the utmost of your ability, or if ever you lent upon usury, or if ever you did cruelly require any debt above the ability of your debtor, or if ever you praised anything you had to sell above the known worth of it, or if ever you did undervalue anything you were to buy, contrary to your own thoughts of it, or if ever you hoarded up corn in the time of dearth, or if ever you retained the hireling’s wages in your hands, to his loss or hinderance, or if ever you did sell any commodity by false weights or measures, or if ever you did conceal anything found from the right owner, when you knew him; then have you been guilty of theft, and so have been a transgressor of this commandment.

And though you never have done any of these things, and it is strange if you have not, yet if ever you were guilty of idleness, sloth, or any way unwarrantably neglected your calling, or if ever you did unthriftily mispend any of your own goods, or ever were negligent and careless in ordering your own affairs and business, or if ever you sustained any loss by your unadvised suretyship, or if ever you borrowed upon usury, except in case of extreme necessity, then have you been guilty of robbing yourself, and so have been a transgressor of this commandment.

Christ Fulfillment

Jesus fulfilled the Law and was sinless: Matt 5:17; Phil 2:5-11

Jesus refused to take what God hadn’t given Him or by-pass God’s commands: Matt 4:1-11

Christians Application

Don’t steal by being content: Heb 13:5; 1 Tim 6:6-8; Matt 6:20, 26

Don’t steal by being generous: 2 Cor 9:6-8

Conclusion