Topic(s): Bible Authority, Christian Living

Bob Prichard

The eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15), is unusual among the Ten Commandments, in that almost everyone agrees that it should be followed. It is still violated very often, as society make allowances for those who want to “cut corners,” not realizing it is condoning stealing. Peter tells the Christian, “Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters” (1 Peter 4:15). Who wants to be known as a thief?

The commandment deals with “things.” God has given us many blessings, including the right to have and enjoy things. Prohibiting thievery stresses this blessing. The early church experimented with the common holding of all things among the believers, as each “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45). The normal situation, however, has been for individuals to possess things. There is nothing wrong with having possessions, as long as the possessor understands that everything comes from God and we are merely stewards. Jesus often spoke of the need for us to be good stewards. “The Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath” (Luke 12:42-44).

Stealing is common today. Taking the property of others without just compensation, although sometimes legal, is stealing. The misuse and squandering of things, even if acquired honestly is bad stewardship, and thus stealing. Many believe that stealing by “creative bookkeeping,” false advertising, or by stealing through the computer is not really stealing, because “nobody gets hurt,” just the big corporation or government. These things are a clear violation of the intent of the eighth commandment, however. Even if no individual is harmed directly, it is still wrong.
Even the frivolous wasting of resources or the miserly holding of resources, such as by Scrooge in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, fits the definition of stealing.

The Christian who considers stealing because of the pressures of life lacks faith. Jesus taught that we should trust God to provide as we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Christians are tempted to steal sometimes because of self-centeredness. The very essence of sin is to put our own desires above that of all others. Either Christ or self will rule the heart. If it is self, selfishness will follow.
Another temptation to stealing comes from the natural laziness that so many have within them. Man too often wants the easy way out, and stealing offers the lure of gain without work. God expects us, however, to pray, work hard, and trust Him to provide. Jesus pleads for honesty: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Thinking of others will help us pursue the virtue of generosity, and avoid the sin of stealing.