The Eighth Commandment - Exodus 20:15

# You shall Not Steal - The 8th Commandment > Ex 20:15 ## Explanation of theft - Taking what belongs to another. Assumes private property. - Includes physical possessions, extends to spouse and reputation, even intellectual property. - Embezzlement is theft from an employer, using for personal enrichment funds that have been entrusted to you. - Because we are only stewards who must give account, waste is a form of theft. ## Evils of Theft - Disregards God’s provision for us. - Disregards God’s provision for others. - In the case of intellectual property, it represents someone else’s work as our own, which is lying. - In the case of taking a spouse, it is equal to Adultery. ## Effects of theft - It undermines progress in society. No one is certain that what they have worked hard to purchase or invent will be respected. ## Examples of theft. - Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5) - David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) - Achan (Josh 7) ## An Excellent View Of Possessions The Good Samaritan. > Lk 10:25-37 - the thieves: What’s yours is mine, I’ll take it. - The priest and Levi: What’s mine is mine, I’ll keep it. - The Good Samaritan: What’s mine is yours, I’ll share it. > Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.