The Ten Commandments form a foundational set of laws for God’s people, maintaining their redemptive culture. The eighth commandment addresses the sin of stealing from others.
After the first few commandments (which deal with the right relationship with God), the laws list ways to have a right relationship with others. Among these moral directives, God tells them, “Thou shall not steal.”
Most cultures have a similar legal injunction against taking what belongs to others, and God affirms this as central to good government. But what is behind this central law for all humanity?
Where Does the Bible Tell Us the Eighth Commandment?
Exodus 20:15 states succinctly, “You shall not steal.” Deuteronomy 5:19 reiterates this commandment, emphasizing respect for others’ property and rights. By forbidding theft, God establishes a principle of honesty and integrity, essential for building community trust. Stealing undermines relationships. It creates an environment of mistrust and fear, breaking the communal harmony God desires.
The Bible shows the dangers of breaking this commandment in several stories. For example, the Bible highlights King Ahab using murder and deceit to steal Naboth’s. 1 Kings 21 describes how Ahab desired the vineyard because it was near his palace. Ahab became sullen and angry when Naboth refused to sell his ancestral land. His wife, Jezebel, devised a wicked plan to secure the vineyard. She wrote letters in Ahab’s name, instructing the elders and nobles of Naboth’s city to falsely accuse Naboth of blasphemy and treason. As a result, Naboth was stoned to death. After Naboth’s execution, Ahab took possession of the vineyard.
This act of injustice broke four commandments: coveting, stealing, lying, and murder. God was not pleased. The prophet Elijah confronted Ahab and pronounced judgment on him and his house, foretelling his family’s eventual downfall.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul echoes the eighth commandment, continuing this moral standard for Christians. Ephesians 4:28 advises, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Here, Paul forbids theft and encourages productive labor and generosity. This perspective transforms the negative prohibition into a positive act, promoting honest work and sharing resources.
Is the Eighth Commandment Different for High Church Denominations?
The numbering of the Ten Commandments differs between some high church denominations (Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and a few others) and most Protestant traditions due to variations in historical interpretation and theological emphasis.
The Catholic Church follows the division established by St. Augustine, which the Lutheran Church later adopted. Augustine’s interpretation was influenced by the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, and his theological focus was on the love of God and his neighbor. Protestant reformers like John Calvin preferred the division used in the Jewish tradition.
The divergence changes how the first and second commandments are divided, which affects all the subsequent commandments. In high church traditions, the commandments start with “I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me,” putting the prohibition against idolatry and the command to worship only God inside the first commandment. The prohibition against creating and worshiping idols extends the first commandment, not a separate command.
In contrast, most Protestant traditions follow Jewish tradition and divide these directives into two distinct commandments: the first commandment being “You shall have no other gods before me” and the second being “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or the waters below.” This distinction emphasizes monotheism’s importance, hence the prohibition against idolatry.
Another point of divergence is the commandments on coveting. High church traditions split the final commandment into two commands: “You shall not covet your neighbor's wife” (ninth commandment) and “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods” (tenth commandment). This division considers the different aspects of covetousness, separately addressing the desire for another person’s spouse and their possessions. Most Protestant traditions combine them into a single commandment, “You shall not covet.”
So, thanks to these differences, many high church Christians call “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” the eighth commandment. This commandment prohibits lying—especially in a judicial context. It underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity to maintain justice and trust within the community.
Does the Eighth Commandment Explain Why We Shouldn’t Steal?
While the commandment does not explicitly explain its reasoning, the broader biblical context provides significant insight into why stealing is forbidden.
First, stealing undermines justice and respect for others’ property, which is foundational to an orderly society. Leviticus 19:11 states, “Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” In doing so, the Old Testament connects theft with dishonesty and deceit; stealing involves taking what is not rightfully ours, damaging trust and integrity.
The Bible highlights property’s value in various other passages. For example, the Lord had Joshua and the priests set boundaries upon entering the promised land to respect each tribe’s land. Respecting others’ property reflects a recognition of personal and communal boundaries that foster order and peace. Deuteronomy 19:14 says, “Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess.” This verse illustrates the need to honor established limits, prevent disputes, and promote harmonious living.
Additionally, stealing creates inequality and injustice. Isaiah 61:8 expresses God’s heart for justice: “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.” Stealing can manifest as exploitation and injustice, particularly when the powerful exploit the vulnerable. Similarly, Isaiah 10:1-2 condemns anyone who misuses the law to cheat people: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people.” Theft contributes to social discord and perpetuates inequality, starkly contrasting God’s desire for a just and equitable society.
By prohibiting theft, the eighth commandment aligns with the broader biblical mandate to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable from exploitation.
The Bible doesn’t stop at simply forbidding theft or outlining punishments for people who steal. The Old Testament Law provides a way to make amends for theft, reconciling an act that has torn the community apart. Exodus 22:1 states, “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.” This law underscores the importance of accountability and restoring what has been wrongfully taken.
Does the Eighth Commandment Go Deeper Than We Think?
The eighth commandment encompasses broader biblical principles. When we understand these principles, we understand how to live under God’s love and truth.
First, the biblical concept of ownership acknowledges that all possessions ultimately belong to God. Psalm 24:1 states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This perspective underscores that human ownership is God-entrusted stewardship. When we respect others’ property, we honor God’s sovereignty and the responsibility He has given each person to manage their resources.
Second, the commandment reflects the biblical view that God is our ultimate provider. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Stealing demonstrates not trusting God’s provision and failing to rely on him for our needs. It suggests that we must use oppressive methods to take matters into our own hands rather than trusting in God.
Third, God gives us good things, holding us accountable for how we use our resources as stewards. Luke 16:10-12 teaches about faithful management: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” By forbidding theft, the commandment encourages responsible stewardship of resources, advocating for honesty and integrity in managing what God has entrusted to us and others.
Fourth, stealing violates love for one’s neighbor. Jesus summarizes the law in Matthew 22:39, saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Stealing is inherently unloving because it disregards others’ well-being and rights. It prioritizes one’s selfish desires over respect and consideration for others. The eighth commandment aligns with the biblical mandate to love and honor others by forbidding theft.
Fifth, God needs nothing. He doesn’t steal; he gives generously. He can create from nothing. Jesus’ followers should exhibit this same charity, understanding they have access to the wealth of heaven available to bless others. For this reason, Paul contrasts stealing and giving (Ephesians 4:28). Children of the Almighty God and King of Kings need not steal from others.
How Do We Follow the Eighth Commandment Today?
Following “Thou shalt not steal” as Christians involves more than merely avoiding theft.
Firstly, we honor the commandment by practicing honesty in all our dealings. We’ve already seen how stealing interacts with murder, lying, and covetousness. Believers must strive to live with integrity, wholeheartedly living as God’s children in all things, including our financial dealings. As Christians, we should ensure that our income and possessions come from ethical sources and that we engage in fair business practices.
Second, we respect others’ property. We should respect tangible items, intellectual property, and creative works. Romans 13:7 reinforces this: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Acknowledging and honoring others’ rights to their possessions and creations fosters a culture of integrity and respect.
Third, we remember that stewardship is central to living out the eighth commandment. Recognizing that God entrusted all we have, we must manage resources responsibly. Like in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), we’ve been given a certain amount to invest for the kingdom. We honor God and contribute positively to our communities by handling our possessions and finances wisely.
Fourth, we consider the commandment’s implications, like addressing social justice issues. We are called to oppose exploitation and advocate for the vulnerable. Isaiah 1:17 instructs, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the fatherless’s cause; plead the widow's case.” In today's context, this could involve supporting fair trade, opposing human trafficking, and advocating for policies that protect workers’ rights.
Fifth, we should foster a spirit of generosity. Acts 20:35 reminds us of Jesus’ teaching: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Understanding God’s provision and heaven’s culture, we give freely. By sharing our resources with those in need, we counteract the greed that often leads to theft. We reflect God’s love and provision.
Sixth, we must cultivate contentment. Hebrews 13:5 advises, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” Contentment helps us resist the temptation to covet or steal, focusing instead on gratitude for God’s blessings.
These godly principles of contentment, trust in the Father’s provision, stewardship, and generosity all bring us great blessings and rewards in the Kingdom economy. Let’s humbly seek God’s help and power to transform our lives in these practical ways.
Peace.
Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Andry Djumantara
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