How does Proverbs 28:24 define the act of stealing from one's parents? Text of the Verse “Whoever robs his father or mother and says, ‘It is not wrong,’ is a companion to the man who destroys.” (Proverbs 28:24) Key Observations • “Robs” — God labels the action plainly: it is theft, even when committed inside the family. • “Says, ‘It is not wrong’” — The sinner’s self-justification is exposed; God rejects the claim that family ties make the act permissible. • “Companion to the man who destroys” — Stealing from parents aligns a person with violent, ruinous criminals; the offense is socially and spiritually devastating. The Sin Exposed • Stealing from parents violates the eighth commandment (“You shall not steal,” Exodus 20:15) and the fifth (“Honor your father and your mother,” Exodus 20:12). • God equates the act with partnership in destruction. The thief becomes morally indistinguishable from those who wreck lives and property. • The verse condemns both deed and attitude; minimizing the sin is itself sinful (cf. Isaiah 5:20). Spiritual Implications • Family is God-given. Exploiting parents attacks the very structure God uses to nurture and protect children (Proverbs 1:8–9). • The heart that steals from parents reveals contempt for authority and gratitude, placing personal desire above covenant loyalty (2 Timothy 3:1–2). • Such contempt invites judgment. Aligning with “the destroyer” foreshadows the thief’s own ruin (Proverbs 22:22–23). Broader Biblical Witness • Proverbs 19:26 — “He who assaults his father and drives away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.” • Matthew 15:4–6 — Jesus rebukes those who withhold support from parents under pious excuses; tradition cannot cancel God’s law. • 1 Timothy 5:8 — Failing to care for one’s household denies the faith and is “worse than an unbeliever.” • Ephesians 6:2–3 — Honoring father and mother brings blessing and longevity, the inverse of the ruin promised in Proverbs 28:24. Practical Takeaways • Treat parental property and resources with the same respect you owe any neighbor—if anything, with greater honor. • Reject rationalizations (“They won’t miss it,” “It’s my inheritance anyway”). Scripture calls such thinking false and destructive. • Provide for parents when they have need; generosity is the godly opposite of robbery (Proverbs 3:27; 1 John 3:18). • Teach children early that dishonor in the home is sin against God, not merely a family matter. Proverbs 28:24 draws a bright moral line: taking from parents is theft, self-deception does not soften the verdict, and the thief stands shoulder-to-shoulder with those who shatter lives. |
    |