Stealing is a topic that is extensively addressed in the Bible. From the commandments received by Moses to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles, the Bible expresses a clear stance on theft: it is a wrongful act. But the Bible doesn’t just prohibit stealing; it also provides profound insights into why stealing is harmful and promotes values that act as alternatives to it. This creates a comprehensive guide to understanding theft from a biblical perspective.
What Does the Bible Teach About Stealing?
The Bible’s teachings about stealing are not confined to mere prohibitions. In the Ten Commandments, a fundamental moral code for many Christian denominations, the ordinance “You shall not steal” directly conveys the stance against theft. However, the Bible takes a deeper approach to the subject, addressing the potential motivations and consequences of theft. It emphasizes respect for personal property, the importance of honest labor, and the concept of love and respect for one’s neighbor.
Why Does the Bible Prohibit Stealing?
The Bible prohibits stealing because it considers theft an act of injustice. Not only does stealing violate the rights of another individual by taking what doesn’t belong to oneself, but it also disrupts the peace and harmony that should exist within a community. The Bible underscores the value of fairness and justice as cornerstones of a strong, cohesive, and loving community. By prohibiting stealing, it champions the cause of justice and supports a community structure built on respect for individual rights and possessions.
Who Does the Bible Say Are Harmed by Stealing?
In essence, the Bible communicates that everyone is affected by the act of stealing. The individuals directly affected by theft, of course, are those who have had their property stolen. But the ramifications extend beyond the immediate victims. The act of stealing fosters a climate of fear and mistrust within a community, undermining the sense of safety and camaraderie. This negativity affects everyone. On a personal level, those who steal are trapping themselves in a cycle of remorse and possible retribution that erodes their moral integrity and spiritual well-being.
When Does the Bible Discuss the Alternatives to Stealing?
The Bible not only prohibits stealing but also offers alternatives to this negative behavior. It extols the virtues of hard work, honesty, and generosity. These characteristics are encouraged as a means to provide for oneself and build a sense of self-worth. The Bible upholds working diligently and ethically to earn one’s livelihood and emphasizes the importance of giving to others particularly to the needy and less fortunate. By promoting these values, the Bible provides avenues to satisfy one’s needs without resorting to theft, fostering a positive and equitable community.
What Are the Consequences of Stealing As Described in the Bible?
The Bible clearly outlines the consequences of stealing. It professes that theft carries not only worldly repercussions like punishment under the law, loss of respect, and community ostracization, but also spiritual penalties. The act of stealing, like other sins, distances an individual from God, leading to spiritual loss and moral decay. Besides, the Bible teaches that actions have spiritual consequences that extend beyond one’s earthly existence. In this way, the Bible offers a holistic view of the implications of stealing, ensuring that individuals understand the gravity of such actions and urging them towards righteousness.
Below is our full list of bible verses on stealing (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Stealing
Ephesians 4:28
“28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Leviticus 19:11
“11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.”
Related Themes: Business Telling The Truth Lying Gossip
Proverbs 10:2
“2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Gossip Telling The Truth
Exodus 22:7
“7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.”
Related Themes: Lying
Romans 13:9
“9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Proverbs 12:22
“22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Lying Honesty Gossip
John 10:10
“10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
1 Timothy 6:10
“10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Leviticus 6:1-7
“1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Lying
Mark 10:19
“19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”
Related Themes: Adultery Respecting Your Parents
Jeremiah 7:9-11
“9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.”
Related Themes: Adultery Trespassing
Psalm 62:10
“10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Greed Trespassing
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
Leviticus 6:2
“2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;”
Related Themes: Trespassing
Luke 19:8
“8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
Related Themes: Indulgence Benevolence False Accusations
Matthew 19:18
“18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,”
Related Themes: Bearing False Witness Trespassing Adultery
1 Corinthians 6:10
“10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Money Lust Trespassing Quitting
Matthew 6:19-21
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Materialism Coveting
Romans 13:7
“7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”
Related Themes: Money Respecting Your Parents Business Money Finances
Exodus 21:16
“16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.”
Luke 12:33-34
“33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Homelessness Money Heart
Hosea 4:2
“2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.”
Psalm 50:16-18
“16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.”
Related Themes: Hypocrisy
Isaiah 61:8
“8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”
Related Themes: Justice
Leviticus 19:13
“13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.”
Related Themes: Business Money Trespassing Finances
Proverbs 6:30-31
“30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;31 But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.”
Related Themes: Restoration Trespassing
Zechariah 5:1-4
“1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.”
Romans 2:21
“21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?”
Related Themes: Learning Reaping What You Sow Reaping Honesty
