Thou Shalt Not Steal

Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.


Very interesting that the bible should list as one of God's commandments a command protecting private property. After all if stealing is the taking of something that does not beling to you, it reasons that what ever was taken unlawfully is the property of someone else.

When dealing with property that had been promised to be sold and the money to be given to the worl of the Lord, Peter asks Ananias, the one who , with his wife pledged the money gotten from the sale of property to the work of God.

Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Was it NOT THINE OWN? Peter reaffirms in this scripture that the man did have property rights, and that a certain piece was in fact HIS OWN.

Here is something interesting to note, God states that when a prophet keeps away Gods word from Gods people , he is stealing that which is rightfully theirs to have.

Jerimiah 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.
Romans 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

In fact the Bible states simply that one who would take another man's property is a thief:
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Sometimes the theft is sneaky sometime violent and so God, in order to prevent theft also states that we should not even Covet or Desire another mans posessions. In fact theft can go so far as to include adultery.

Mar 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
Mar 6:18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

He stole her. She was another mans wife he desired her and took her and married her. God, through John said to "give her back"

So God Says Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

God establishes that somethings do infact BELONG to individuals and that stealing those things, taking them away, either through deciet or force is a sin. He then states that even coveting those things is a SIN. And JUST in case you wanted an interpretation, and to avoid any mental gymnastics God helps aong with Deuteronomy 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's.

God was so concerned with the propection of a man or womans property and even his family that he placed at least two commandments of the ten that directly protect that right. One the direct act, and TWO the thoughts and sinful desires that would lead to it.

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

NOTE also, that ultimatly the owner of YOU is the owner of your stuff. Your Property is in fact God's peoperty. If you allow it to be stolen....

1Co 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Now God has entrusted us with his blessings, yet we are HIS. He has given us, as stewards HIS property and blessings. If we allow someone to steal it or destroy it? Either through neglect or michief.. Please read Exodus 22 1-17 Here below is an excerpt:

Exodus 22:7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man's house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
Exo 22:8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.

Lets face it.. God has given us some wonderful things...