When tempted to steal

“For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong…” (Isa. 61.8 ESV)

 Types of robbery: petit theft, burglary, piracy, armed, larceny, and fraud.

 Don’t look to robbery as an answer

“Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.” (Psalm 62:10 ESV)

Thieves are on the list 

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11 ESV)

Christ is the answer

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)

Therefore…

“You shall not steal.” (Exo. 20:15 ESV)

“You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him…” (Lev. 19:13 ESV)

“Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:14 ESV)

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Eph. 4:28 ESV)

Quote:

A man once stole Matthew Henry’s wallet. In reflecting on the incident, Henry said, “I am thankful that he never robbed me before. I am thankful that although he took my wallet, he did not take my life. Although he took all I had, it was not much. And, I am glad that it was I who was robbed, not I who did the robbing.”