THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The Ten Commandments was taught by Dr. James Modlish

The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal. (Ex. 20:15)

Introduction:

A thief can be described as someone takes something and doesn't give an adequate return.

With this definition in mind there are a lot of sophisticated thieves in operation today, many churches not to be excluded. Our considerations will be aimed principally at the Christian. It may be concluded an, unsaved man is a thief simply because he possesses a depraved unregenerate nature. However, God's people don't have that convenient of excuse to fall back on. Hopefully this message will help us all to see why and how we steal and to do about it.

 

I. THE CAUSES OF THEFT

A. Laziness - A lazy thief thinks that he is master of the situation (Prov. 26:16) but shall end up with nothing (Prov. 13:4).

B. Excessive debt - (Rom. 13:8) Debt often brings poverty which can drive a man to be a thief (Prov. 30:9).

C. Unbelief - (Ps. 78:19) Many will simply not trust God to provide their needs so they resort to stealing from God and men.

 

II. THE KINDS OF THEFT

A. Money and Possessions - One of the most common methods of theft today is to steal from employers. If we do not give them 8 hours of work for 8 hours of pay we rob them. Sometimes the reverse of the dictum is true; the employer steals from the employee by withholding proper pay (Lev. 19:11-13) and many Christian business men rob people by charging I them too much for goods or possessions. (Lev. 19:15).

B. Borrowing and Forsaking Payment - (Ps. 37 :21) - God's people should not have a bad reputation about paying their bills. So sometimes Christians try to take advantage of other Christians because they are Saved. They consider themselves to be the rightful recipients of favors.

C. Time - Not only is time often robbed from employers but also from our families, ourselves and God. (Ecc. 8:5-13).

D. Hearts - "Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (2 Sam. 15:6). Even as Absalom stole the hearts from Israel's king and leader David, so do men today. There are always those who instigate that the pastor and leaders of the church should do things a different or "better" way. The crowd that constantly questions the leadership is the same bunch that wags their tongue to anyone who will listen. The underlying subtility of the entire effort is to steal men's hearts. The judgment upon Absalom should be noted (2 Sam. 18:9-15).

E. Credit and Honour - (Acts 12:20-23) How many times do God's people take credit for successes and victories that God gave. I fear there is a tendency in Fundamentalism to deify some Christian personalities. Loyalty is necessary (as illustrated in the last point) but the glory belongs to God.

F. Tithes and Offerings - (Mal. 3:8-12) It sure would be a nicer day if we could do a way with this one.

 

III. THE RESULTS OF STEALING

A. A thief puts himself in the position of being hated by society. Very few have any real respect for a thief. If a thief is respected the respect is stolen and it will be short lived. (Zech. 5:3).

B. A thief will always live in fear - (Ps. 53:5)

C. Fear is a great tormentor - (1 Jn. 4:18)

D. Judgment will come - (Josh. 7:25)

 

IV. HOW TO AVOID STEALING

A. Live in a Calling - "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Eph. 4:28).

B. Be content with the estate that God has given you - "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Heb. 13:5)

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