Old Testament Scriptures  Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1Cor. 10:11, NKJV)  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. (ESV)  “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4, NKJV)

“You Shall not Steal” (Ex. 20:15; Rom. 13:9; Eph. 4:28)

“You shall not steal”  There are various forms of stealing that the Bible defines, so let’s seeks to understand what God has to say about them.  Making practical applications to our lives as God’s children today, let us ensure that we are heeding what God has to say about the matter.

“Steal” H1589 גּנב ga ̂ nab gaw-nab' A primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication to deceive: - carry away, X indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth. -Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary

“Stealing” can take on various forms…  "He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.” (Ex. 21:16 NKJV)  When one was entrusted with the safe keeping of something and it became lost -- or it became damaged by ones neglect (Lev. 6:2).  If one found something that belonged to another and it wasn’t returned (Lev. 6:3)

Forms of stealing - Fraud  Refusal to do an honest day’s work (Col. 3:22).  "Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his chambers by injustice, who uses his neighbor's service without wages and gives him nothing for his work” (Jer. 22:13)  “Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.” (Jas. 5:4)  If you are a business owner and do not pay what is reasonable, then you are guilty of fraud (Proverbs 11:24- 25).

Not paying wages… on time  'You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.” (Lev. 19:13)  What many brethren consider “shrewd” business is nothing more than stealing…  Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." (Mark 12:38- 40)

“Stealing” takes on various forms…  A merchant can steal by using dishonest measurements, scales, and weights (Lev. 19:35-37)  The point of the passage speaks to being just in judgment; to be honest in conducting trade (business).  Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' “ (Matt 21:12-13)

Stealing from others…  When one refuses to pay their bills (Rom. 13:8).  When one refuses to pay their owed taxes (Rom.13:7).  Misrepresenting household information to get more out of government programs such as Medicaid, WIC, public housing, and utility assistance? (Rom. 13:1-2)

Stealing from others; Slander/Gossip  “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.” (Prov. 22:1)  “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (Jas 4:11)  “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 7:12)

Stealing from others; one’s faith  False teaching can steal one’s heart away from the truth (Jer. 23:29-32)…  "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt 18:6)

Stealing from God… You can steal from God by withholding you best; even by withholding from Him your money (1Chr. 29:10-15; Mal. 3:8-10). You can steal from God by actions that damage yourself (1Cor. 6:19-20).

Stealing from yourself  “…your sins have withheld good from you…” (Jer. 5:23- 25)  You steal from yourself when you refuse to surrender to God…  “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mk. 8:35-37)

God says “You shall not steal”  How then do you “not steal”?  Take note of the lesson from God’s word today; make necessary changes.  Consider Ephesians 4:28-32!!  Let us be sure to give God our very best -- in all aspects of giving.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV) “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

Have YOU been washed?  And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' (Acts 22:16)  “There is also an antitype which now saves us-- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” (1 Pet. 3:21-22)