"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need."

Ephesians 4:25-28

‍

Stealing isn't just about taking physical objects, but can manifest in various forms in our lives and reflects a lack of honor—both for others and for God. Through kingdom culture, we are invited to live as 'givers' rather than 'takers,' reflecting God's character. It's a call to trust in God's provision and to close any 'footholds' we may have left open for the enemy in our lives. In this Sunday’s Manhattan message, David Chan invites us to examine areas where we might be 'stealing' from God, whether through our time, talents, or resources, and to recommit to a life of integrity and trust in God's abundance.

‍

What is the context?

• As we have been learning over the last few weeks, the Ten Commandments are not some kind of checklist, but rather a blueprint, a guide to living a life that is pleasing to the Lord.
• God was giving instruction on how the people of Israel were to live differently from the Egyptians and the surrounding nations, to have a different culture.

‍

There are certain things that we do that don’t seem that serious at first glance, but if we continue to do them can actually be very detrimental. A foothold is small, but traps your whole body. It is not just the action, but what it can do to our hearts

‍

Stealing does not reflect Kingdom culture

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
John 10:10-11

‍

• It is the nature of the enemy to steal our soul, joy, strength, peace, and confidence in the Lord.
  
  • Whatever the enemy has tried to steal in your life, he is restoring it back to you.
• When we steal, no matter how big or how small it may be, subtly we reflect the character of the thief, of the enemy.
• Do we reflect the kingdom culture of the lord to bring life or do we reflect the culture of the enemy to steal?
• Stealing almost always goes along with deceit, which is why the devil is often called “the great deceiver.”
• Because of Jesus' death and the life he has given us, we can now bring that life to the people around us instead of taking from them.

‍

Stealing reflects a heart posture that is not honoring

• When we take something that does not belong to us , we are not honoring the person whom we took something from.
• Taking something that does not belong to us reflects a heart of selfishness – it says that my wants are greater than you, that my desires are greater, that they are more important than your possessions or boundaries.

‍

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4

‍

• The lie of the enemy is to make you think that your success can only happen at the expense of others.
• Stealing fundamentally reveals that we are placing our desire for possessions and material things over the Lord.
• We can also steal God’s glory when we don’t give him honor for what he has done for us.

‍

Stealing opens a door for the enemy to attack

• Stealing gives the devil a foothold in our lives because If we start making excuses, start to minimize and trivialize sin instead of having a heart of quick repentance, it becomes dangerous.
• The Lord wants to point out all the little holes in our lives and, if left unchecked, deflate our hearts and our walk with him.
• Stealing actually prevents God’s blessings from flowing to us.
• One of the main ways we steal or rob from him is in our lack of giving and generosity.

‍

Stealing reflects a lack of trust in the Lord

• At the heart of it all, stealing communicates that we don’t trust God’s provision so we have to take things into our own hands.
• When he tells us not to steal, it is not because he is like a cop telling us not to steal. It is because he is reminding us that he is Jehovah Jireh our ultimate provider.
• We can trust him because he has already given us all that we need through the cross.
• As we live out kingdom culture to be givers and not takers, the Lord will provide for us.
• We don’t have to take things into our own hands from a root of fear, a fear of lack, and a lack of trust in the power of God to empower you.

‍

‍

Additional Resources:

• Joshua 7:11-13
• Malachi 3:8-11

‍

Dinner Party Questions:

1. In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's provision, and how might this relate to the temptation to 'steal' or take matters into your own hands?
2. How does the concept of honoring others through our actions and choices relate to the commandment against stealing?
3. In what ways can we cultivate a heart that celebrates others' successes rather than feeling jealous or competitive?
4. How can we balance the tension between working hard with our own hands and trusting in God's provision?

‍

Put It Into Practice:

1. 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.
2. Look for an opportunity to be generous with your time, talents, or resources in a way that serves others and builds God's kingdom.