Stealing is Wrong

For a few years now my son has operated a fall veggie stand to learn a work ethic and earn some money. I did something very similar when I was a boy. However, in the early 90s I never remember anyone stealing any of my pumpkins and squash. Things are different now. While many pay a fair or generous amount (my son’s veggies are by fair market donation) this year has seen a spike in those stealing or under-paying (it is even so bad that some Mennonites have installed security cameras at their stands). This window into the sinfulness of the human heart proved a difficult lesson for my son. It speaks to the de-Christianization of our society and the growing moral depravity that comes when our focus is on self.  

The 8th commandment of God’s moral law, the 10 Commandments, states, “Thou shalt not steal.” Stealing is taking something that belongs to someone else. In murder that is their life, in adultery it is a spouse, in stealing it is some material possession, financial or property. When we steal, we rob something from someone else, we harm them through this loss and violation. When we steal, we essentially say I am better than you, this therefore should belong to me (i.e. stealing is an expression of coveting). This can happen amongst the wealthy and poor, anyone can steal. We can steal something small or something large, something from someone who is helpless (a child) or someone who is strong (a country).

Yet far above the human plane we all steal from God, whether we steal from others or not. We steal from Him when we don’t give Him His due. When we don’ t honour Him through honouring His special day—we’re stealing. When we don’t honour Him through tithing—we’re stealing. Yet ultimately, when we are coveting (10th commandment) we reveal how we are breaking the 1st commandment. Ultimately by loving self we’re stealing from God His due to be worshipped (loved) and served.

We naturally steal from God and can and do steal from others. Wonderfully Jesus came to give Himself so we might be forgiven of all of this selfish sin and be renewed by the gift of His Spirit so as to give to God and give to others, to love them.
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So let’s stop stealing and let’s start giving, to God and to others.