Eighth Commandment – No Stealing

Eighth Commandment – No Stealing

Exodus 20:  ¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

 

============

 

GOD told Moses and the children of Israel not to steal. This was HIS eighth commandment.

 

My Observations:

• GOD may have been addressing a mindset of stealing that was adopted from the Egyptians.
• GOD may have seen how powerful people steal to remain in power.
• GOD may have also been addressing the fact that the people may have ignored HIS provision

 

 

Being a god was important to the Egyptian Pharaoh. They would go to great lengths to obtain the status of a god and to keep it. One method they may have used was stealing from those who served them. During the plagues, all of the Egyptian animals were killed by GOD. The Egyptians may have used force to steal some of the living animals from the children of Israel.

 

This mindset was dangerous to the LORD. Thievery is a form of trying to be a god. The thought behind it is “I want what you have and I have decided to take it by force or by sneaky activity.”

 

Stealing reduces GOD’s power and provision. The thief may feel GOD’s timing or current provisions were inadequate. GOD provided manna, turned bitter water sweet and provided water from a rock. HE wants you and me to know HE is the provider. But when wee take matters in our own hands, we become thieves.

 

The result of getting more money or more food or a better living space may not be pleasing to GOD. Undercutting and devaluing may be a form of stealing that also surfaces from the Egyptian mindset. Over valuing a house or under paying for a car could be an example of adjacent thievery that is more complex.

 

GOD was addressing a mindset that keeps a person from asking for something. They take without giving and make decisions for how they treat the people around them as justification for their thievery.

 

GOD is the provider, but when we steal, HE no longer is viewed as the provider. Fortunately, GOD is merciful. JESUS was hung on the cross between two thieves. One thief gave a testimony about JESUS not deserving to be put to death. The thief was forgiven.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning to not steal?
• Have you stolen something that should have been provided by GOD?
• Is GOD your provider?

Not Robbed

Not Robbed

2 John 1: ⁷ Many deceivers have gone out over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ. ⁸ Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what we have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.

 

============

 

“Why is he being so nice to me?” was the thought running through my mind. Usually this thug would bully me and this conversation was unexpected. It was cold outside and I had on my snorkel coat. I looked around and saw his goons giggling. Turns out, they were practicing picking my coat pocket.

 

• I was distracted by the conversation.
• I was being robbed because I was distracted.
• I was a prime target because I wasn’t paying attention.

 

John gets right down to business in this very short letter. He wanted to address deception that had become plentiful. People were not acknowledging that JESUS came as a human to be murdered by HIS creation and be raised from the dead. A person who speaks against this is a deceiver.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to be as wise as the serpent like worldly people, but as harmless as a dove.
• Believers will receive a full reward, simply by believing that JESUS died and rose from the dead.
• The reward for my belief is an eternity of peace, no problems and no pain.

 

Being deceived can rob me. I mean, in the past when I have been deceived, it wasted time, money and effort. “I could have done things differently” is usually the regretful thought I have had after realizing I have been deceived. It’s a bad feeling.

 

GOD does not want me to have regrets. HE wants me to choose HIM versus being forced to love HIM. When I choose to believe in HIS love, I experience HIS amazing grace. I am glad I receive HIS reward in full, simply by believing in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer say is a deceiver?
• Have you ever been deceived?
• Will you “be on your guard” by believing that JESUS is GOD and HE became a human to save you and me, and HE was murdered by humans to be raised from the dead to pay for your sins and mine today?

Permanent Solution

Permanent Solution

1 Corinthians 6: ⁷ The very fact that you have legal disputes among yourselves shows that you have failed completely. Would it not be better for you to be wronged? Would it not be better for you to be robbed? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves wrong one another and rob one another, even other believers! ⁹ Surely you know that the wicked will not possess God's Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts ¹⁰ or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves—none of these will possess God's Kingdom. ¹¹ Some of you were like that. But you have been purified from sin; you have been dedicated to God; you have been put right with God by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 

============

 

“Maybe I can use a coat hanger” was my first thought in repairing the hatch back door on my jalopy of a car.  Of course the hanger did not fit properly. It was too thin to snugly connect the hatch to the car and if I doubled the hanger, it was too thick. I needed a permanent solution.

 

• There have been many times when I looked at temporary solutions as permanent.
• There have been many times when I declared something as “fixed” when it was still broken.
• There have been many times when I argued about my patch work, justifying why I repaired it the way I did.

 

Paul explains the reason it is frivolous to take legal action against another believer in JESUS. He, however, does it in a strange way. He explains that anyone who sins in any way, will not receive the kingdom of GOD. The sines he lists are temporary solutions to a deeper problem, namely the lack of a relationship with JESUS for salvation.

 

• GOD wants me to turn from temporary sin and replace it with a permanent solution, namely JESUS.
• GOD knows I cannot resist sin, so HE gave me a permanent solution, namely JESUS.
• GOD saw all the sins I would ever commit, and HE forgave me with HIS permanent solution, namely JESUS.

 

Trying to pick apart the list Paul writes, points to a deeper problem which is surrender. I mean, if I think “I” am not on the list he writes about and that I can tell someone else to straighten up because “their” actions are sinful, then I am the one with the serious problem. All have sinned and need a permanent solution to sin.

 

JESUS is that permanent solution. HE not only saves me eternally, HE guides me daily through the HOLY SPIRIT. When I want to use sin as my solution, the HOLY SPIRIT warns me and provides a way out. I don’t always take the way out, so HE pleads for me when I sin. I am grateful GOD’s grace is sufficient to cover my sins.

 

• Are you trying to fix your life with temporary sin?
• Do you think you were “born that way” and are unwilling to surrender your life to JESUS?
• Have you fallen for the lie that if you have committed a sin, GOD will not forgive you, or worse yet, you do not feel you need to be forgiven?
• Will you consider the love of JESUS and ask for forgiveness of any sin so HE will be faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness today?

Have Been Versus Is

Have Been Versus Is

1 Corinthians 5: ⁹ In the letter that I wrote you I told you not to associate with immoral people. ¹⁰ Now I did not mean pagans who are immoral or greedy or are thieves, or who worship idols. To avoid them you would have to get out of the world completely. ¹¹ What I meant was that you should not associate with a person who calls himself a believer but is immoral or greedy or worships idols or is a slanderer or a drunkard or a thief. Don't even sit down to eat with such a person.

 

============

 

Over the course of my life I looked exactly like everyone else. I tried to fit into the world, so I picked up its behaviors. I read this list which included immorality, greed, idol worship, slander, getting drunk and being a thief. Yes, I have been all of the above.

 

• There have been many times when I have looked just like the world.
• There have been many times when I just wanted to fit in so I acted like “everyone” else.
• There have been many times when my own lusts made me choose to act like the world.

 

Paul gives a very strong warning about “someone who calls himself a believer but…” The “But” in his statement is very strong. He implies the person does not really believe JESUS is the only answer but mouths the words of GOD by mentioning HIM on occasion to manipulate people in immoral, greedy, idol worshipping, slanderous, drunken and thieving ways.

 

• GOD wants me to be able to confess when I sin.
• GOD wants me to be ready to admit a fallen state in hopes that I can be restored.
• GOD wants me to use the fruit of the Spirit, especially “self-control” to keep from falling back into the ways GOD dislikes.

 

Restoration can happen to anyone. I mean if I fall to being immoral, greedy, idolater, slanderous, drunk or a thief, I should be removed from leading in any gathering of believers as a leader. Fortunately, GOD wants to use sinners to spread HIS message.

 

If I confess this behavior and truly repent or stay away from old behaviors, then I can be restored and useful to lead people to CHRIST. Yes, GOD takes sin seriously and so should I. I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT who pleads on my behalf, who restores me and who leads me daily.

 

• Are you trying to stay away from people you have judged?
• Do you think you heart is perfect and other people have imperfect hearts?
• Will you stop applying this list to other people and examine yourself to see if there is something blocking you from speaking boldly and truthfully about JESUS today?

Protection

Protection

John 10: ⁷ Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

============

Wanting to be the top in my industry fed my drive. Long hours and missing family events became the norm as I pursued, what I thought was, abundance. “I’m doing this for the family” I rationalized as the pressure from being on top continued to wear on me. It was three A.M. and I was awake, thinking about work.

• My previous pursuits made me worry.
• My previous pursuits made me lose sleep.
• My previous pursuits made me leave friends and family only to feel pressure to deliver.

JESUS continues to reveal who HE is in this passage. HE explains why HE came, but first, HE explains something important. JESUS talked about thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill and destroy. HE was speaking to the church leaders and those who oppress and exploit people.

• JESUS wants to protect me from my desires that may get in the way of my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants to protect me from things that rob me of HIS love.
• JESUS wants to protect me from worries, fears and doubts so I can have abundant life.

“I AM the door” is a strong statement that JESUS gave us. HE tells me that “No one can get you away from ME if you believe in ME.” HE says this to give me “abundant life.” A life where I can find peace and rest in HIM. But the worries of life rob me of this abundance and sometimes kills my relationships because of my pursuits.

GOD sees my futile attempts to hold onto my life and whispers “let go.” “Let ME have your life and I will give you abundance you have never known.” When I let go, GOD always comes through with abundance. I love HIS peace.

• Are you full of complaints and discontent over life?
• Do you feel you have little?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to the abundance of life HE has given you?
• Will you change your thinking about what “true” abundance is and allow HIM to use you to bring an “abundant” amount of people to HIM through you today?

You Will Be Recognized

Matthew 7: ¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

============

Lying had become a habit to “fit in.” Whatever the subject, I could come up with a story that showed I had either done it, or known someone who did. Then one of my lying friends said something profound about himself… “I’m lying so much that I had to ask myself, what do I have to gain by this particular lie?”

• Many times I have bared bad fruit.
• Many times I have tried to fit in rather than stand out for good.
• Many times I have desired to be what the crowd wanted me to be and I was on a road to destruction.

Nervous and directionless I placed “fitting in” over GOD’s path. Soon I became the center of attention but to what end? When I finally turned back to GOD, “my” crowd looked at me like I was living yet another lie. BUT GOD saw something different.

• GOD showed me that it is never too late to bear good fruit.
• GOD explained to me that I can stop baring bad fruit and start baring HIS gracious fruit.
• GOD endeared to me that HIS fruit is much better than the world’s fruit.

“Okay LORD I will follow YOUR ways” was my step towards maturity. It took some practice and I failed over and over, but eventually GOD gave me the courage to tell the truth. Once I bared my faults I bared good fruit and GOD was well pleased.

• How are you recognized?
• Do people see GOD when they see you or do they only see you?
• Can you stop trying to bear selfish fruit and seek GOD’s amazing fruit?

Caught Thief

Ezekiel 45: ⁹ “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have gone far enough, princes of Israel! Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Stop dispossessing my people, declares the Sovereign Lord.

============

Budget time came around quickly this time. Cuts had to be made and I thought to myself “If we could only get rid of my boss and a few other scoundrels then there would be enough money for raises.” I called them scoundrels because this was an easy label to justify my decisions.

• There have been times I have been a thief in disguise.
• There have been times I have stolen someone else’s salary and position.
• There have been times I have fought off the mighty in order to gain ground.

Dispossessing was about the only way to get ahead in the company I was in. I mean the person above had to practically die out of office in order for everyone to move up a notch. The accepted method of moving ahead was to knock the person off the top and take the higher spot.  This was done through clannish slander and smear campaigns. BUT GOD wanted me to behave different.

• GOD said to me “Give up your violence.”
• GOD said to me “Give up your oppression.”
• GOD said to me “Stop dispossessing MY people.”

GOD wants me to have a heart “for” people, not against them. HE would rather I stay in the same spot and serve than to rip someone apart and conquer them. GOD wants “their” heart and it may take me to humble myself rather than exalting my skills. My purpose should only be to bring people to HIM.

• Are you trying to slander someone?
• Are you thinking the best for that person or are you secretly trying to dispossess them?
• Can you stand on your own merit by having GOD guide you?

Grow up and give it back!

Joshua 7: ¹⁰ The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 

¹² That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

============

Toner got all over my hands and finally some got on my clothes.  I fixed numerous paper jams and it seemed like the automatic stapler went nuts as soon as I fixed other problems.  It was after hours and I had to fix everything myself because I was making copies for my social group. “My company wouldn’t mind because they made lots of money”, I thought to myself.

• When I permanently borrow something without permission it’s stealing.
• When I use something without permission it’s stealing.
• When I go outside the boundaries for my own personal gain, it’s stealing.

Stealing was not my mode of operation.  I would never consider myself a thief.  I mean thieves break in and take what’s not theirs. So what’s the harm in taking stuff from work? “These folks are thieves themselves, they have plenty!”

• GOD wants me to mature enough to not want even a paperclip that’s not mine.
• GOD wants me to grow up enough to realize that even the time spent goofing off at work is stealing.
• GOD wants me to ripen enough to desire HIS supply of my needs rather than me taking them from someone.

Slipping out of work early or taking material from the job or doing inferior work to collect a check has not build the best relationship between me and GOD. I may even justify my actions by classifying the company or even my boss as jerks, but it still doesn’t fit well within GOD’s favor.

GOD wants me to be honest in my dealings and desires that I focus my attention on HIM more and more.

• Are you stealing from work by not giving your best?
• Are you stealing from GOD by not serving, giving, or praying?
• Can you give back what you have taken and start over?
• Won’t you grow up enough to admit what you are taking?

What is stolen will be replaced

Genesis 33: ⁸ Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”

“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.

⁹ But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

============

After a very long week of unpacking, things finally looked settled in our new house.  I woke up to a very sunny day, stepped into the garage only to find the door had been left open. This was a very rare occurrence so I surveyed my belongings and noticed several items missing, one of which was a tool box.

About a year later I helped our office move. The administrative assistant said, “Here is a tool box that we no longer use, do you want it?” It had more tools in it than the one stolen from me.

• When something gets stolen from me I pout like it will never be replaced.
• When something gets pilfered I get upset because I think I can’t ever get another one.
• When something gets taken I think the sneaky will always win and I will be a wimpy victim.

Jacob stole Esau’s birthright, blessing and place with their father. When GOD told Jacob to return he did it with a bribe because that’s all he could see. Esau, who had everything taken from him, was restored fully even to the point where his coffers were bursting at the seams.

• When stuff gets taken it is only stuff and I should thank GOD for the moment I had it.
• When items get lost, broken or stolen I should thank GOD for the time I had with it.
• When things get taken it may be the removal of a distraction away from GOD.

I’m not saying I like things to be taken away from me, what I’m saying is GOD gives and GOD takes away and it’s up to HIM to replace what is stolen. Each time I have been robbed, I got something better.

• Has something valuable to you been taken?
• Has someone cheated you out of something?
• Can you pray for that person to meet GOD?
• Won’t you let GOD deal with the missing items and pay attention to HIM?