Fail to Respect Property 10 Stupid Things We Do Fail to Respect Property

Stealing is Wrong Everyone knows that stealing is wrong. This rule from God goes to the heart of: The work ethic Capitalism – right to buy and sell The right to private ownership of property The stewardship of our possessions

God Owns It All Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Exodus 19:5 - Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

God Owns It All Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 50:10 - For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.

God Owns It All Haggai 2:8 - ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts. James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

God Owns It All Remember: God holds the first mortgage. It is not wrong to own property. Just remember where it came from.

How do we violate this command? Theft 1 Peter 4:15 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

How do we violate this command? Theft Extortion Luke 3:14 - Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

How do we violate this command? Theft Extortion Cheat 1 Corinthians 6:10 - nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

How do we violate this command? Theft Extortion Cheat Gambling 2 Corinthians 8:21 - providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

How do we violate this command? Theft Extortion Cheat Gambling Employee theft Employer theft James 5:4a - Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out;

Does “size” count? Large or Small Amount Tangible or Intangible Good Guy or Bad Guy Small Business or Giant Corporation Force or Fraud Legal or Illegal

Who suffers? Victim Public – we pay with higher prices Loss of property Loss of trust Lose sense of safety Public – we pay with higher prices Thief – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Who suffers? God Time Mind Body Love 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.

How can it be prevented? Jesus’ teaching Luke 12:15 - And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

How can it be prevented? Jesus’ teaching Jesus’ example Matthew 8:20 - And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

How can it be prevented? Jesus’ teaching Jesus’ example Stop blaming the victim They left the keys in the car. She left her purse open. Store charges too much anyway

What can the guilty do? Repent Restitution Go to work Ephesians 4:28 - Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Stupid Things We Do It is stupid to think that we can steal the property of others It is stupid to think that we can steal from God It is stupid to think God is not aware of our thefts