Sermon Illustrations

STEALING RAMPANT IN AMERICA

Many lives have been touched by theft in our society today. Millions of dollars are lost every year in this country over the theft of goods and services. One estimate says that 1 out of every 52 shopper’s carries something out of the supermarket for which they haven’t paid. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 4 million people are caught shoplifting every year. But for every 1 caught, 35 others get away with it. At least for now. This means that there are over 140 million incidents of shoplifting every year in American! What’s really tragic is that only 10% of all shoplifters come from low income backgrounds. 70% are middle class and 205 are classified as wealthy. These facts are astounding! America appears to be a country of thieves. I suppose that if everyone who was guilty of theft was arrested, there would be no jails to hold them, nor arresting officers to lock them up! One new hotel reported that in their 10 months of operation, they lost 38,000 spoons, 18,000 towels, 355 silver coffee pots, 1,500 silver finger bowls and 100 Bibles to thieves.

Regardless of the reason, stealing is wrong! God, in these verses condemns it and declares it to be a sin. Today, I would like for us to take some time to look at the 8th Commandment, which reads, "Thou Shall Not Steal," and consider what stealing really is, as we think together on this thought.

(From a sermon by Carl Allen, Thou Shalt Not Steal, 10/27/2009)

Related Sermon Illustrations

  • There's A Story That Abraham Lincoln Went To A ...  PRO

    Contributed by David Ward on Dec 16, 2004
    based on 2 ratings
     | 4,130 views

    There’s a story that Abraham Lincoln went to a slave market one time, and was moved with compassion to place a bid on a young black girl. He won the bid and walked away with his “property.” There was a sullen, angry expression on the girl’s face, because she knew that here was another white man ...read more

  • Sam Jones Was A Preacher Who Held Revival ...

    Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 12, 2004
    based on 1 rating
     | 2,589 views

    Sam Jones was a preacher who held revival services, which he called “quittin’ meetings.” His preaching was directed primarily to Christians, and he urged them to give up the sinful practices in their lives. Sam’s messages were very effective, and many people promised to quit swearing, drinking, ...read more

Related Sermons

Browse All Media

Related Media


The Good Pens
Highway Media
Video Illustration