“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15
Scripture Reading: Joshua 7:10-22
Memory Verse: A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1
Introduction:
The eighth commandment indirectly establishes private ownership. God’s forbidding one man to take something from another establishes the right of man to “have and to hold.” This is one of the principles of economics.
The God-given right to possess things for our very own has been recognized from the beginning. At creation, God gave the world and its resources to mankind. The man and the woman were commanded to subdue the world and have dominion over it. The right of property ownership is demonstrated in Abraham’s purchase of a plot of land to bury his wife Sarah in Genesis 23. By this, we see the right of private ownership was recognized even then.
From the concept of private ownership of possessions comes the command that we should not take something from another because it is his to have and to hold. As men and women find Jesus and come into a relationship with God, they become aware that the right of private ownership is more of a privilege. We begin to see that “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10) are our Heavenly Father’s and that we are tenants that have been granted use of those resources for a brief lifespan. In Deuteronomy 10:14, we see “Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it.” God is the owner of the earth and all that is in it, and He desires individuals to be His stewards of His creation.
Like some of the other commandments, stealing is deeply engrained within us as being wrong. Romans 2:14-15 describes how the Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature, do what the law requires. By this, they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts.
Instead of stealing, God wants us to give and share. He wants us to be generous and considerate of our fellow man and to give out of consideration for the blessings we have received from Him.
Lesson Questions:
- What was to be done with the spoils taken in the battle of Jericho? Joshua 6:17, 19
- What was the sin of Israel and Achan and what was Achan’s confession? Joshua 7:1, 11, 20-21
- How was the eighth commandment described in other parts of the law given by Moses? Exodus 22:7; Leviticus 6:1-7; 19:11, 35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-15
- How does the Lord regard dishonest scales? Proverbs 11:1; 20:23; Micah 6:11. Discuss modern-day examples of this.
- What might cause someone to do something like use short weights, cheat, defraud, and other similar dishonest practices? Why will men risk their eternal life by doing this? 1 Timothy 6:9-10
- What advice does Paul give to the thief that is now a Christian? Ephesians 4:28
- What are some other ways that we can break the eighth commandment today? Can you steal something that isn’t a physical object?
- Is stealing always wrong? How is stealing sometimes justified in our culture today?
- How does James 1:17 encourage us to be content with the good gifts we have been given?