When we follow the Lord, we read His Word to learn how to live. God wants us to live in a way that honors Him. He gave us clear rules in the Ten Commandments. When we ask what the Bible says about stealing, we find a very simple command from God. This rule is important for every part of life. It matters for our money, our friends, and our hearts before God.
This is not just about staying out of jail. For believers, it is about being like our God. He is a giver, not a taker. It is about trusting Him with all our needs. When we trust God, we are not tempted to take what is not ours. This rule shows God’s love for fairness and order. It teaches us to love our neighbors. Let’s open our Bibles and see what God says about this.
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What is the Foundational Commandment About Stealing?
The main rule about stealing is in the book of Exodus. God saved His people from slavery in Egypt. Then, He met Moses on Mount Sinai. There, He gave them the Ten Commandments. These were not just rules. They were a guide to a good and holy life with God and with others.
The eighth rule is very clear. Exodus 20:15 says, “You shall not steal.”
There are no “ifs” or “buts” with this rule. It is a clear command from God our Father. It is simple, and that makes it strong. God did not say, “Do not steal big things.” He did not say, “Do not steal from the poor.” He just said, “You shall not steal.” This shows that any stealing is wrong. It is wrong against God and against the person you steal from.
Is the Commandment Against Stealing Only in the Old Testament?
This rule is also in the New Testament. This shows it is still very important for Christians. In Romans 13:9, the Apostle Paul lists this rule. He says it is part of loving your neighbor. So, we know this is not just an old rule for people long ago. It is a lasting rule for all who follow Jesus.
What The Bible Says About Stealing and Why God Cares So Much
That is a good question. There is a lot of sin in the world. Why is this short rule so important to God? The answer tells us about who God is. It shows us His plan for people. What the Bible says about stealing is that it’s not just about taking an object. It is about a broken trust.
How Does Stealing Violate the Command to Love Our Neighbor?
Stealing is a failure to love. Jesus was asked what the most important rule was. He said to love God with all your heart. He also said to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Stealing is the opposite of this.
When you take what is not yours, you do not treat others well. You put what you want above their needs. You cause them pain, worry, and loss. So, it is a selfish act, not a loving one. It creates hurt and breaks friendships. God wants us to live in peace and help each other.
Does Taking Something Show a Lack of Faith in God?
Yes, it does. When we steal, we are saying God cannot provide for us. We decide to handle things our own way. We doubt God’s promise to take care of us. Jesus talked about this worry in Matthew 6:31-33:
He said do not worry about what you will eat or drink or wear. Your Father in heaven knows you need these things. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
We are tempted to steal when we feel we do not have enough. Faith calls us to trust God to provide for us. When we steal, we choose our way over God’s way. This shows a heart that does not trust in God’s goodness.
What Kinds of Actions Does the Bible Consider Stealing?
When we hear “stealing,” we think of big crimes. We think of robbing a bank or a store. The Bible’s view of stealing is much bigger. It includes any time we wrongly take something that is not ours. This makes us look closely at our own lives as we explore what the Bible says about stealing.
Is Taking Something Small, Like a Pen from Work, Still a Sin?
It is easy to make excuses for small things. We might think, “It is just a pen.” Or we might say, “The company is big and will not miss it.” But God’s rule is clear: “You shall not steal.” The size or cost of the item does not matter.
Taking anything without asking is wrong. It breaks the rule of honesty. It also trains our hearts to be okay with small sins. Small sins can lead to bigger sins later. God wants us to be honest in all parts of our lives. Luke 16:10 says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”
What The Bible Says About Stealing Through Dishonest Business
The Bible is very clear about being honest with money. This is another kind of stealing we might forget. Proverbs 11:1 says, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.”
This old rule still applies today. It includes things like:
- Lying to a customer about a product.
- Not working a full day when you get a full day’s pay.
- Not paying a worker the money they have earned.
- Cheating on your taxes.
These are all forms of stealing. You are wrongly taking money that belongs to someone else.
How Can Someone Steal Things That Aren’t Physical Objects?
Yes, the idea of stealing in the Bible is not just about objects. We can steal things that we cannot see or touch.
For example, we can steal time. If you are paid to work for eight hours, but you waste time, you steal from your boss. You are paid for work that you did not do.
We can also steal a person’s good name. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” When we gossip, we take something very special from another person. We steal their good name. This is a very cruel kind of theft.
Finally, we can even steal glory from God. We do this when we take credit for good things God has done. We rob Him of the praise that only He should get.
What The Bible Says About Stealing and Its Consequences
God’s rules are for our own good. They protect us. When we break them, bad things happen. The Bible is clear that stealing leads to pain in this life and the next.
What Does the Bible Say About Making Things Right After Stealing?
A key idea in the Old Testament is restitution. This means if you stole something, you had to give it back. But you also had to pay back more than you took. Exodus 22:1 says a thief had to repay four or five times what he stole.
This teaches a big lesson. Sin has a cost. Being sorry means more than saying words. It means we do all we can to fix the wrong we have done.
We see this in the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. He was a tax collector who cheated people. After he met Jesus, his heart changed. He said he would give half of his money to the poor. And he said he would pay back anyone he cheated four times over. This shows he was truly sorry.
Can a Thief Go to Heaven?
Sin has spiritual costs too. Sin that we do not turn from separates us from God. The Apostle Paul gives a serious warning in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. He lists many sins, including theft. He says people who live this way will not inherit God’s kingdom.
This does not mean a person who once stole is lost forever. Praise God, that is not true! The verse talks about a person whose whole life is about sin. It is about someone who does not repent. A life of stealing does not fit with a life following Jesus. But yes, a thief can go to heaven. This happens through turning from sin and trusting in Jesus. This leads to a new life.
How Can a Person Find Forgiveness and Freedom from Stealing?
Now we get to the best news of all—the Gospel! The Bible shows us our sin, but it also shows us our Savior. No matter what you have done, there is hope. You can find forgiveness and freedom in Jesus Christ.
What is the First Step to Being Forgiven?
The first step is to repent. This means you change your heart and your actions. You agree with God that what you did was wrong. You feel true sorrow. You decide to turn from that sin and live a new way.
This means you tell God what you did. 1 John 1:9 gives us a great promise. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” You may also need to tell the person you stole from. Then you can do your best to make it right.
How Can Jesus Forgive a Thief According to What The Bible Says About Stealing?
We are not forgiven because we promise to be good. We are forgiven because of what Jesus did on the cross. Jesus paid for all our sins, including every time we have stolen. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”
Think of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. He had lived a bad life. But at the end, he turned to Jesus in faith. He asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus promised him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
If Jesus can forgive that man, He can forgive any of us. His grace is bigger than our sin.
How Can We Live a Life of Honesty and Integrity?
After God forgives us, He calls us to a new life. He helps us live in a way that honors Him. The Bible gives us clear steps. We can replace the old habit of taking with a new habit of giving.
What is the Biblical Path from Being a Taker to a Giver?
The Apostle Paul shows us the way in Ephesians 4:28. “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.”
This verse shows God’s amazing plan for change:
- Stop the Sin: “Let the thief no longer steal.” This is repentance.
- Start the Right Action: “Let him labor, doing honest work.” We should work hard and be responsible.
- Live for a New Reason: “So that he may have something to share.” This is a beautiful change. God turns a taker into a giver! He replaces a selfish heart with a generous one.
This is what the Christian life is about. We turn from sin and do what is right. We find the most joy when we are like our generous God. For a deeper academic look at this commandment, Dallas Theological Seminary offers valuable insights on the eighth commandment.
What is the Ultimate Antidote to the Temptation to Steal?
The best way to fight the urge to steal is to have a content heart. We are tempted to steal when we are not happy with what we have. Paul shared his secret to being content in Philippians 4:11-13.
He said he learned to be content in every situation. He could face having a lot or having a little. He said, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
True joy is not found in getting things. It is found in Jesus. When we know He is our greatest treasure, other things matter less. When we trust His love and His promises, we do not feel the need to take things for ourselves.
In the end, the full truth of what the Bible says about stealing is that it is a sin. It hurts others and shows a lack of trust in God. But the good news is that Jesus offers forgiveness. He does not just forgive. He changes us from the inside out. He can turn a taker into a giver. He can turn a worried heart into a peaceful one. May we all live honest and generous lives, showing others the love of our Savior.
FAQ – What the Bible Says About Stealing
How can someone who has stolen find forgiveness and live honestly according to the Bible?
A person can find forgiveness through repentance—turning away from sin and trusting in Jesus Christ. By confessing sins and making restitution, they can experience God’s grace and begin living with honesty and integrity.
What actions are considered stealing according to the Bible?
Stealing includes not only taking physical objects but also dishonest actions like lying about products, not paying workers, cheating on taxes, wasting time at work, gossiping, and taking credit for God’s work.
Why does God care so much about stealing according to the Bible?
God cares about stealing because it breaches trust, harms relationships, and reflects a heart that does not love others or trust Him. It also shows a lack of fairness and order, which God values highly.
Does the Bible’s teaching on stealing apply only to the Old Testament?
No, the Bible’s teaching on stealing also appears in the New Testament. Romans 13:9 includes it as part of loving one’s neighbor, showing that it remains a vital rule for Christians today.
What is the main commandment in the Bible about stealing?
The main commandment about stealing is found in Exodus 20:15, where God clearly says, ‘You shall not steal.’ This rule emphasizes that any form of theft is wrong, regardless of the size of the item or who is affected.
