Exodus 20:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:15

“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15

“We move on now to the eighth commandment which we see above in our focus verse. 

Stealing is defined as taking another’s property without permission and without intending to return it, in essence making it our own.  Even if the person has made it known they do not necessarily like an item, to take it without them knowing it is still stealing, maybe not the current owner, but ultimately the person they may have planned to give it to.  I have had various items stolen from me, some that did not affect me that much, but also some that created in me a sense of loss.

However, there are many different forms of thievery.  For instance, taking longer on our lunch breaks at work without making up the time, or leaving early and/or arriving late without ensuring the hours paid for are covered.  I remember when I worked for an IT consulting company.  On my last day, I turned in my time sheet and my supervisor told me to amend the time sheet so they could bill the client for forty hours that week.  I told him I could not do that because I was assigned to other work as well and could not put in the full forty.  He demanded I adjust my time sheet, but I told him I would not, for that would be charging them for hours not worked.  When he continued to insist I comply, I told him I would not because they did not owe anything for time not devoted to them.  Another form of theft is taking credit for what another has accomplished.  This could result in the theft of bonuses that were awarded or in acclamations accorded for the effort given.

It is important to understand that the victims of theft know the horrible feelings that these actions produce.  The very act of someone taking what may have been an especially precious gift from a loved one causes deep hurts and wounds as well as make us feel vulnerable and often times angry.  Theft has a tremendous impact on society as a whole.  It disturbs societal stability and often excites feelings of fear and possibly desires for revenge.

Stealing from another, whether we know the person or not, goes against the two commandments that Jesus said encompass all the other laws and the prophets.  “And He said to him, YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend on the whole Law and the Prophets.“. Matthew 22:37-40. If we truly love God, we will desire to honor Him in all we say and in all we do, and ultimately do not do such as not stealing.  And if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not take from them anything that is theirs without their knowledge and permission. 

So, in closing, let us make our focus in expressing our love to God and to our neighbor by doing what is truly loving and in their best interests.  God loves us far beyond our ability to comprehend.  And we should express this love to each other.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12. And stealing is a sign of greed, not love.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Ephesians 4:28

Verse of the Day Devotion: Ephesians 4:28 

“He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.” – Ephesians 4:28       

Paul now speaks in our focus verse regarding stealing.  Back in this time period within the pagan community, theft was a common practice, mostly because there were many who found it difficult to provide for themselves and their families.  This practice of pilfering was almost common practice back then.  No property was safe which was not guarded or locked up so that it was inaccessible.  Sounds like today in some ways. 

Now, we are not to believe that thievery was a common practice within the first century church.  However, since many converts were from the pagan communities, it is not surprising that Paul would spend time in preaching against the practice.  The first thing he tells them is that they must stop if they are still stealing.   He states this as a point of caution.  If someone has long been in the habit of practicing any sin, they are prone to falling back into it again.  As an example, think about the problem of excessive drinking.  Someone who was a practicing alcoholic in the past but now drinks no longer, has to be careful that he does not fall into this practice again.  The same can be said for people addicted to drugs, and as Paul talks about, stealing from others.

He then says that instead of stealing from others, seek the means of living in an honest manner.  In essence, find a way of getting what you need aside from by dishonest means.  They were to work hard so that you could themselves acquire legally what they need.  They need to give up taking from others that which they can get for themselves.  As he wrote to the church in Philippi, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. We can always trust Him to meet our true needs.

And he ends this by stating when they go out and work, they are to share with those who are in need.  They are not just to think of themselves, but also think of others who need help in making ends meet.  I like the way the theologian Albert Barnes puts it.  Paraphrasing, he says “a considerable number of people cannot labor to support themselves due to being either too old or young, or they are crippled, sick or laid up in bed.  If those who are working do not share with them what they have, they very well could perish.  Based on this, we should desire, in our labors, to provide for their needs.” 

We, as Christians need to follow this verse.  We must not steal, in any form.  This means in regard to things, ideas, dignity, or any other way.  We should work to get what we need and want, not take with no remuneration.  And when we do work, let is take the opportunity to help those who are truly unable to work to address their needs.  This will help by not allowing them to fall into temptation to steal in order to take care of themselves and their family.  Meeting the needs of the needy is often more important than purchasing a new unnecessary item.  We would like help if we were in need. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.