The Ten Commandments E-book study by Trent Brandt, writer of the Christian Letter found at www.christianezine.org |
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The Ten Commandments E-book study by Trent Brandt, writer of the Christian Letter found at www.christianezine.org |
The Ten Commandments, Part 8 Property is protected by the eighth commandment, "You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15) Of course this means don't rob the bank, but there is more to this than meets the eye. Theft is the increase of earthly wealth by illegal means, which is outside the boundaries of God's Law. Men steal because it is one of the deep-seated evils of human nature. "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." (Matthew 15:18-19) Christians must repent of this sin. "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need." (Ephesians 4:28) Wealth, given to those who need, can be a blessing if we learn the truth from Matthew 19:16-30. Gambling is another form of theft. The gambling houses have the odds stacked in their favor so that while some win, in the long run the house always comes out way on top. Winning, and the emotional high, motivates most compulsive gamblers. This driving ambition to win is a form of greed, which violates the Biblical principle of gaining wealth by honest means or by one's labor. Gamblers play the odds and hope to win by their skill or luck. Gambling has become a curse for many thousands of people who are encouraged to gamble by state-sponsored lotteries like lotto and many others. Organizations have been set up to help compulsive gamblers break the habit, as gambling has been responsible for destroying homes, careers, and marriages. While many do not invest large sums, such activity can set the stage for a worse habit later. Job 31:24-28 shows us that putting our hope in wealth is being unfaithful to God. The money and time we gamble with could be used for the betterment of the church and family. Robbery from God is not worth anything...let alone a slim chance at a monetary win. We should gain wealth here only by means of labor or by gifts from others. Before writing this off as a non-dangerous command to break, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) Thievery and greed are in the same category as other sick acts. Freedom and hope are in Yehoshuah (Jesus), not in earthly wealth. "Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him. Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight." (Leviticus 19:13) Robbery by fraud can be just as evil as robbery by gunpoint. Some companies have built their wealth upon oppressing the poor through inadequate wages, leading to starvation or thievery by the employee. Sin begets more sin. Also, a man who refuses to give an honest day's work is guilty of theft. Being lazy on the job is just as bad as the employer who steals by refusing to pay a sufficient wage. "The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work." (Proverbs 21:25) Those who are lazy and refuse to give an honest day's work soon find themselves unemployable. God will deal with these men as noted in James 5:1-5. The man who gains his livelihood by means that are approved by God can rest peaceably at night, knowing that his treasures are laid up in heaven where nothing can destroy or take them. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19) There are people who are too honest to steal, but will borrow and never pay back. "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;" (Psalms 37:21) Have you borrowed money or items and never returned them? For an example, let's say that you borrowed your neighbor's lawnmower, and though you offered to pay, he said to not worry about it. He refused payment, so does this relieve you of your debt? No. Return the favor in another way so that your neighbor will see you as a just and caring man and not just a leach to society. Love, which is outgoing concern for others, always attempts to be fair in all financial dealings. By being fair to both yourself and the other one can indeed fulfill the law of love. "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10) We would do right to study the Bible and read Scriptures like, Deuteronomy 25:13-16, Malachi 3:5, Proverbs 11:1, Ecclesiastes 5:12, 1 Timothy 6:17, and 2 Timothy 3:1-5, to further our understanding of this wonderful command. "Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another." (Leviticus 19:11) Theft is also stealing time from our children by working too much, using false advertising, poaching animals, cheating, from the classroom to taxes, government's illegitimate taxes, taking because we 'deserve' or 'need' it, not sharing the gifts we have, or perhaps the theft of happiness by your bad mood. However, the worst theft is that of a soul lost by our behaving as though we are not a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Never steal Salvation from someone by not sharing your testimony of Christ; it's the worst thievery you could ever commit. © trent@kci.net |
