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The 10 Commandments

Aug 07, 2022 | Nick Vargas

Do Not Steal

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What is Stealing? To take something without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

The Law for Israel – God wants to guard the covenant community being established

Exodus 22:11 “Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.

Exodus 22:33 but if it happens after sunrise, the defender is guilty of bloodshed. “Anyone who steals must certainly make restitution, but if they have nothing, they must be sold to pay for their theft.

Exodus 22:77 “If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double.

Deuteronomy 24:14-1514 Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.15Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

The appeal of stealing is that we can gain something for nothing. Yahweh seeks to teach Israel that stealing is always at someone else’s expense, and that it does not actually pay out in the end.

The Law Redefined – Jesus arrives, and he takes the law that they once knew and redefines them.

Jesus helps them to realize that it is their heart that needs to be addressed.

Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus takes the law further to the point of calling his disciples to not only refrain from the offense, but to do the opposite.

Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

Proverbs 11:24-2524 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

We are called to live generously considering the treasure we have in the Kingdom of God.

Luke 12:32-3332 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

 

 

Series Information

How can we truly know who God is and who we are if there was no law given from God to define morality.  The 10 Commandments give us a timeless framework by which we can know the holiness of God and to know our need for his help in living to please him.