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76_You shall not steal

Ex 20:15 Thou shalt not steal

A young boy stumbled upon a farmer’s wallet lying on the dusty road. The wallet was stuffed with more money than he had ever seen in his life. The boy’s family was poor, But instead of keeping the money, he walked miles to return the wallet to the farmer. The farmer, overwhelmed with gratitude, not only rewarded him with some of the money, but offered him a steady job on the farm. That boy’s honesty opened a door to blessings he could never have anticipated. This simple story reminds us of the commandment, “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15). It emphasizes that integrity of life brings far greater rewards than the short-lived gains of dishonesty.

This commandment tests the truth of our faith in God. Many people do not steal because they fear being caught or punished. Others are conscious of societal pressure, or fear to tarnish their reputation. But God’s commandment goes far beyond such superficial obedience. It challenges us to examine how we live in every area of life.

Stealing may take many forms: cheating, underpaying workers, evading taxes, gambling with what is not ours to lose or win, pilfering items from the workplace, borrowing without making an honest attempt to return goods, or even keeping something we find when the rightful owner could be located. Each of these actions reveals a heart that seeks unjust gain, taking what has not been given or earned. At its core, this commandment demands that we respect the rights of others and trust God to provide for our needs through honest means.

But God does not merely command us to avoid stealing; He calls us to replace dishonesty with integrity and generosity. In Ephesians 4:28, Paul writes, “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.” Honest work reflects our obedience to God, our acknowledgment of all he has given us to earn our way, and the desire to provide for those who are helpless. By doing so, we confess that all good things come from him, and are for us to enjoy along with those whom he sends into our lives. Through work, we not only provide for ourselves and our families but also position ourselves to be a blessing to others.

Paul’s exhortation to slaves in Ephesians 6:5-8 emphasizes sincerity and diligence at our work, for it is Christ who is our Master. When we fail to give our best efforts or waste time at our workplace, we are essentially stealing from our employers. True integrity means working faithfully, though no one may be watching, because it is God whom we serve, and it is he who sees and rewards our labor.

Repentance in this area involves restitution. Zacchaeus, the tax collector, is a bright example. After welcoming the Lord to his home and listening to him, he declared, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19:8). The Lord responded, “Today salvation has come to this house.” True repentance tries to make things right wherever possible, demonstrating our change of heart through action.

The Bible also warns us about robbing God. In Malachi 3:8-10, God’s people stand accused of robbing Him in their tithes and offerings. He challenges them to bring the full tithe into His storehouse, promising to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessings in return. The tithe is a tangible acknowledgment that we belong to God, with all that we have, and he is our Lord. Failing to give it not only robs God of honor but also limits our own experience of His provision and protection.

Theft is not limited to money. Christ redeemed us with His own blood (1 Corinthians 6:20). Therefore, our time, talents, resources, and lives belong to Him. We are stewards of all that He has entrusted to us. One day we must give account of how we used our lives, our goods, and all that he gave us. Let this spur us to honor Him with everything. Let us use our time to further His kingdom by preaching and living the gospel of love. Let us use our skills and resources to fulfil His purposes, rather than hoarding them for our own selfish and ambitious gains.

The parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16 illustrates the benefit of spiritual stewardship of our possessions. The steward was dismissed for his dishonesty. Knowing he would very soon have to leave his position, he shrewdly used his remaining time to secure his future. The Lord commended his foresight and urged His followers to use worldly wealth to build eternal treasures. By using our resources—whether time, money, or talents—to bless others and further God’s work, we store up treasures in heaven that will never fade.

The way we handle material wealth reflects our spiritual priorities. Jesus said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10). If we are unfaithful with the “very little” things of God, that is, worldly wealth, how can we expect Him to entrust us with the “much” of true spiritual riches? Judas Iscariot was stealing from the disciples’ common purse. This seemed like a minor issue to him. But it revealed a heart far from God, ultimately leading to his betrayal of his master, and his death without hope and without God.

Let us examine our lives and determine if we are faithful stewards of the trust committed to us. Let us use all that he has entrusted to us to build his kingdom and glorify him. If we have been careless or dishonest, like Zacchaeus, let us turn to God and make restitution where possible, so that we may live with integrity.

How do we view our wealth and possessions? Let us, as the Lord did, see them as tools with which we can serve God and man, rather than treasuring them up for themselves. The Lord warned clearly: “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:13). If money becomes our master, it leads to greed, dishonesty, and ultimately spiritual ruin. But when we serve God, we use his gifts with freedom and joy to bless others.

The commandment “You shall not steal” is not just about refraining from taking what doesn’t belong to us. Let us live with integrity, honoring God in our work and relationships, and faithfully taking care of all He’s given us to do his will. If we’ve fallen short, His grace is sufficient to forgive and transform us.

As the young boy who returned the farmer’s wallet discovered, integrity brings its own, often unexpected, blessings. When we honor God’s commands, we avoid the consequences of dishonesty and enjoy his approval and provision. Let’s commit to living honestly, working diligently, and giving generously, so that our lives may reflect God’s character and be a blessing to others. God bless.