Blog
“Do You Steal?”
Categories: Covet, Covetousness, Ephesians, Repentance, Sin, Steal, Stealing, Ten Commandments, Theft, Work
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4.28, ESV)¹
____________________________
¹God has always been against theft. In fact, one of the ten commandments given by God was “you shall not steal” (Exodus 20.15, ESV). One of the reasons God hates stealing is because when we develop an evil desire for something earthly we replace God with that person or thing. Hence Jesus taught, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7.21-23, ESV). Notice that theft begins in the heart; ultimately taking the place of where God’s love and word is to reside.
Further, stealing is a result of covetousness; that is, “having or showing a great desire to possess something, typically something belonging to someone else”. When Satan knows that we desire possessions beyond what God has blessed us with, he will tempt us in many ways to gain those possessions. This is why God calls us to be content with what we have (1 Tim. 6.8) and to lay our treasures in heaven and not on earth where, interestingly, thieves break in and steal (Matt. 6.19-20)!
Finally, when we steal we do not love our neighbor (Rom. 13.9). Instead, God calls us to love our neighbor and to share with anyone in need.
There were Christians in Bible times who stole, though many repented (Rom. 2.21; Eph. 4.28; 1 Cor. 6.9-11), and unfortunately there will be Christians who steal today. Let us heed the warnings of Scripture because “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5.2). We must always be prepared for the return of our Lord!
If you’re interested in learning more about God’s will and if you need help overcoming covetousness and the love of possessions and money so you can stop the sin of stealing, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.
