EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
“Thou shalt not steal” (Ex. 20:15).
A. INTRODUCTION: HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO GET STUFF?
1. Work. How does God want us to get STUFF? “Let him that stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something good” (Eph. 4:28, NKJV).
a. Get money and buy STUFF.
b. Work to give you self-respect and self-esteem.
2. Make it. You can farm, cook, or be a “furniture maker.”
3. Investment. “Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. His lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matt. 25: 20,21, NKJV).
4. Inherited. “That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures” (Prov. 8:21).
5. Divine providence. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11).
B. HOW CAN A PERSON STEAL?
1. Thief. “From old English to crouch, one who takes illegally, by secret, or stealthily” (Webster). This is a sneak thief, or burglar.
2. Robbery or mugging. To take illegally by force. “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him . . . leaving him half dead” (Luke 10:30).
3. Seizure. Using without permission, taking company assets, using and abusing another’s possession, etc.
4. Deceit. “The Lord hates dishonest scales and dishonest weights” (Prov. 20:23). Mechanics charging for work not done, adding to expenses, false advertising, false claims, exaggerations, selling a person something he/she does not need, or should not have, promises you cannot keep.
5. Defraud. “To deprive of something by deception; the old English word means to cheat.” (Webster). To withhold something rightfully due. If you don’t pay a debt on time, you defraud and not allow them the use of their money, i.e., stole capital or interest for 120 days. Also, not giving employer eight hours of work for eight hours of pay.
C. WHAT DO THEY STEAL?
1. Your use of the possession.
2. Your time and talents to acquire the possession.
3. Your reputation and respect is identified with your possession.
4. Your love and passion.
MY ATTITUDE ABOUT A THIEF
Your dreams and hopes, they steal your future.
Your ability to worship and serve God.
Your ability to use it to become better and stronger.
D. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN SOMETHING IS STOLEN?
1. Angry, because we are possessive.
2. Violated, because someone took part of your life.
3. Hurt, because you need it or miss it.
4. Confused, you don’t know what to do.
5. I am thankful he didn’t take my ability to make money.
6. I am thankful he didn’t take my life.
7. I am thankful I am not the thief.
E. DON’T BE LIKE OUR ENEMY.
1. Not kill. “He (the Devil) is a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44).
2. Not steal. “The thief (the Devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10).
3. Not lie. “He (the Devil) is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).
F. WHY STEALING IS A SIN.
1. We are made in the image of God, and if a person would steal from us, he/she would steal from God.
2. Not paying tithe. “Will a man rob God”? Yes, but you ask the question where have I robbed God? God’s answer, “You robbed Me in tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8, 9, author’s translation).
3. We are to worship and serve God. When something is stolen from us, we cannot carry out our service for God.
4. Stealing harms a person internally, i.e., discouragement, gives up, vengeful, rage, suicide.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
