“You shall not steal”
Exodus 20:15
In our exploration of the commandment 'You shall not steal,' we uncover profound truths about God's value for us and our neighbors. This seemingly simple directive opens up a world of spiritual insight, challenging us to examine our hearts and actions in light of God's love. We're reminded that stealing isn't just about taking physical possessions, but can extend to time, ideas, and even our relationship with God. In this Sunday’s Brooklyn message, Pastor Kevin Myers invites us to consider: Are we living as stewards of God's gifts or grasping at what we think we deserve?
What is the context?
- Stealing is the act of taking something that does not belong to you, often with stealth or deceit, without the intention of giving it back.
- In Exodus 22, God outlines property protection laws and requires Shalam or restitution, an act of making amends or repayment, for property stolen.
Reasons why God does not want us to steal…
God Values Them
“What are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Psalms 8:4-9
- God made us to have possessions even before the fall of humanity and entrusted us with possessions for us to enjoy, cultivate, and protect.
- Stealing is a breach in our value and security under God.
- It is dehumanizing when we take from someone what is theirs when God has given it to them.
- Who is them? Your neighbor, your friend, your spouse, your children, your coworker, your enemy, etc.
- If we steal from them, someone with the imago dei, we also have a heart that wants to steal from God.
- Restitution is required to produce Shalom, wholeness or peace, in a relationship.
God Values Us
- Stealing isn’t just petty theft, but can impact many areas of our lives
- Workplace Theft: Time, company resources, and intellectual property
- Digital Theft: Piracy, plagiarism, hacking and identity theft
- Financial & Business Theft: Fraud and scams, credit card fraud
- Intellectual & Creative Theft: Content stealing, counterfeit goods
- Everyday Dishonest Practices: Cheating on taxes, lying for discounts, and falsifying insurance claims
- When one sin happens it multiplies and fractures relationships on a larger scale.
- God cares for us, the church, the neighborhood, the city, the business committed to him, the corporation.
- What would happen if we all committed to stop stealing on a large scale?
- A church connected to Heaven, overflowing with blessing
- A generous & whole society
- Dismantling of corruption
- Healed families & relationships
God Values You
- God of the universe has entrusted you and me to steward what he has given us, and he even helps us through the Holy Spirit, the gifts he’s given us, and the provision we can and can't see.
- “He who steals diminishes his soul, for he seeks gain through injustice rather than trusting in God’s provision.” - St. Augustine of Hippo
- Lies a thief believes:
- God is unjustly withholding something from me.
- I cannot trust God’s provision
- Control over my life is more important than my trust in God
- My gifts earn God’s approval
- God is harsh and cannot be trusted
- My wealth is more important than God
- My titles are my identity
- It’s mine, I know how best to use it
- God has given me somethings but he hasn’t been given me enough
- I created what I have
- I deserve the worship of others
- My private life and public life don’t have to align
- All through scripture we are confronted with God’s mercy and grace for thieves. He places value on them. The problem is not God, it is if our hearts are repentant or not.
- How do we go from the heart of a thief to the heart of a servant?
- We encounter Jesus and we believe him
- We give our lives to God to gain everything in God
- We serve people knowing we are serving God
- We practice thanksgiving
- Jesus placed value on us when he died a thieves death in place of us to make amends to the damage sin made to our relationship with God.
Additional Resources:
- Every Good Endeavor by Tim Keller
- Malachi 3:8-12
- Luke 3:12-14
- Matthew 15:19-20
Dinner Party Questions:
- Beyond taking possessions, what are some subtle ways we might “steal”—whether from God, others, or even ourselves?
- How does our view of God’s provision impact whether we live with a heart of generosity or a heart of scarcity?
- Jesus brought ultimate restitution through the cross—how does embracing this truth transform the way we approach trust, integrity, and generosity in our daily lives?
Put It Into Practice:
- List lies you may believe about God’s character and his provision. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. Embrace the truth by asking God to help you come out of agreement with the previous lie.
- Reflect on areas where you might be "stealing" in subtle ways (e.g., time at work, digital content). Choose one area to address and make a plan for change.
- Look for an opportunity to be generous with your time, talents, or resources in a way that serves others and builds God's kingdom.
