Theft

Theft

In what ways do we steal from others?

God’s Response

I wanted them so much that I took them. Joshua 7:21

For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing . . . are all summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9-10

When you make an agreement with a neighbor to buy or sell property, you must never take advantage of each other. . . . Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I, the LORD, am your God. Leviticus 25:14, 17

The cartoon version of a thief is usually a sinister figure in a black mask that robs banks, snatches purses, and breaks into homes after dark. Although theft and violent crime are a real part of our world, most of us will be tempted by more subtle and “civilized” forms of stealing, such as padding an expense account, adding false deductions to our income-tax statement, or taking advantage of someone’s gullibility or goodness. Whether we rob a widow at knifepoint or skim so smoothly that our victims never know it, stealing is detestable in the eyes of our holy God. Make a commitment to be completely honest in all you do and say.

God’s Challenge

You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise . . . use honest weights and measures, so that you will enjoy a long life. Deuteronomy 25:13-15