Topical Bible: Theft: Saints: Warned Against

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Theft, defined as the unlawful taking of another's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, is explicitly condemned in the Bible. The Eighth Commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15), serves as a foundational moral directive against theft. This commandment is reiterated throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of respecting others' property and rights.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul provides further instruction to the early Christian communities regarding theft. In Ephesians 4:28 , Paul exhorts believers, "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need." This passage not only prohibits theft but also encourages productive labor and generosity, highlighting a transformation from taking to giving.

The warning against theft is also evident in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , where Paul lists thieves among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." This stern warning underscores the seriousness of theft as a sin that separates individuals from God's kingdom.

The teachings of Jesus further reinforce the prohibition against theft. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the heart's intentions, teaching that righteousness exceeds mere adherence to the law (Matthew 5:20). While not explicitly mentioning theft, His emphasis on inner purity and love for one's neighbor implies a rejection of any form of dishonesty or taking advantage of others.

The early church fathers also echoed these biblical warnings against theft. They emphasized the importance of living a life of integrity and honesty, reflecting the character of Christ. The Didache, an early Christian treatise, instructs believers, "You shall not steal; you shall not covet what belongs to your neighbor" (Didache 2:2), aligning with the biblical commandments.

In practical terms, the Bible encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of contentment and trust in God's provision, as seen in Hebrews 13:5 : "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" This contentment serves as a safeguard against the temptation to steal, redirecting focus from material gain to spiritual fulfillment.

The biblical narrative consistently warns saints against theft, urging them to live lives marked by honesty, integrity, and generosity. By adhering to these principles, believers reflect the transformative power of the Gospel and bear witness to the righteousness of God's kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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 needs.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 4:15
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... Saints, a common name for Christians in all conditions ... Theft, an instance of voluntary
sin, [602]58 ... excellencies their own, [650]116; warned against clamor, [651 ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

Chapter i.
... 1. Christ warned His followers against false prophets ... and proved that it was not
one of the saints [1161] , but ... Now this is a manifest theft of the truth, and a ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/chapter i.htm

Letter Lxxviii. (AD 404. )
... perjuring himself, was compelled to own his theft, and to ... great sorrow on the part
of saints and believers ... hath foretold all these events, and has warned us not ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxviii a d 404.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... passing on a journey, and to attempt every speakable and unspeakable mischief against
me. ... You say further that all the saints, such as Paul and others like him ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... days faith was dim, for the saints and righteous ... works of the law, they were warned
against them as ... abstain from fornication, and murder, and theft, and false ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Twenty-Seven Articles Respecting the Reformation of the Christian ...
... therefore it should be vigorously interfered with and the people warned against
it. ... Where pilgrimages are a failure, they begin to glorify their saints; not to ...
/.../iii twenty-seven articles respecting the.htm

Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ...
... For thou canst perceive how the saints of old, who were ... Then, if thou art caught
in the theft, wilt thou not ... guile of the serpent, thou mayest be warned by Paul ...
/.../faustus rejects the old testament.htm

The French Reformation.
... Berquin was repeatedly warned of the danger that threatened ... and what all the company
of saints believed ... By this code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /12 the french reformation.htm

The French Reformation
... Berquin was repeatedly warned of the danger that threatened ... and what all the company
of saints believed ... By this code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 12 the french reformation.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... The wise of the world had warned them again and ... such as is scandalous, as robbery,
theft, common swearing ... drunk with the blood of the saints!" " Does this ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 22 upon our lords.htm