The Ten Commandment – 8th Commandment
Bible passage: Exodus 20:15
“You shall not steal.”
Dear brothers and sisters, Since listening to sermons up to the 7th commandment, have you been keeping the Ten Commandments? Can you confidently say that you do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain and keep the sabbath day holy?
If you do not know the spiritual meanings behind these commandments, many of you may think you are keeping them when it’s actually the opposite. How grateful we are that we can now understand the will of our Father God. Today, we’ll look at the 8th commandment of 'You shall not steal.' This commandment carries spiritual meanings that differ from worldly perception. In the name of the Lord, I hope you will all be enriched by these teachings and become blameless and flawless children of God. Dear brothers and sisters, There are two main connotations to the commandment, ‘You shall not steal.’ First, there is the fleshly definition of stealing.
This refers to taking or acquiring another person’s property without permission. Even worldly people know that stealing is wrong and sinful. But if someone is accused of being a thief despite not having stolen anything, they would likely feel very displeased and wronged. Many people engage in theft that they don’t class as stealing, committing wrongdoings and thieving without knowing it. For example, they may take someone else's belongings without permission and without pangs of conscience, thinking it’s acceptable because they’re close friends or the item is inexpensive and unimportant. People who use other people’s belongings out of necessity should return it immediately afterwards but often don’t it return at all. This behavior not only causes financial loss but is also disrespectful.
Regardless of how trivial the item or how close the relationship, using something without the owner’s permission is considered theft in God’s eyes. Some people simply ask for things they need, saying “give it to me” or “lend it to me.” They may not return items after borrowing them, or if they do, the items may be worn or reduced, causing loss to the owner. Brazenly asking for someone else's belongings is embarrassing. A truly conscientious person will feel guilty about taking anything that doesn’t belong to them, no matter how small. Even if something is not outright stolen or taken by force, unjustly acquiring what is not yours also constitutes theft. For example, a person of goodness will feel a pang of conscience if they were to receive a bribe by abusing their position or power or if they were a business charging excessive prices to exploit customers.
Even if an item wasn't stolen, taking what you are not rightfully entitled to can still be considered theft. But this perspective differs from a worldly view. In the world, there are those who feel pleased or clever to overcharge naïve customers and fail to see the wrong. Yet the truth is that deceiving others and causing harm for personal gain is sinful. By self-reflecting through this pure and beautiful truth, we can emerge as a beautiful bride of the Lord without a single blemish. Brothers and sisters, the second connotation is spiritual stealing, specifically, when you steal from God. This kind of theft directly affects salvation. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, was entrusted with managing assets given to Jesus by the people. But he mismanaged these funds and became a thief, ultimately allowing himself to be influenced by Satan and betrayed Jesus.
Despite being called as a disciple and having the opportunity for great glory, Judas Iscariot accumulated sin and, without the spirit of repentance, ended his life in despair. This truth remains relevant today. Some people attend church yet still misuse God's funds. Even worldly people feel fear when stealing from the church, raising the question of whether someone who claims to believe in God while misusing finances truly has faith for salvation. On the surface, they may appear to live a faithful life and fulfill their roles, but are often blocked by a wall of sin, unaware of the seriousness of their actions. If their sins remain hidden and go unpunished, it is even more alarming. Even if people are unaware, God is certainly watching, and justice will come in due time.
If a person fails to repent and ultimately faces the seven years of tribulation as a thief of God’s finances, how much will they lament and regret? I urge everyone listening not to invite such disasters upon yourselves. Even if you haven’t directly stolen church offerings, misusing sacred items or mishandling church finances can also be considered stealing from God. Let’s take a look at some specific examples. Using membership fees recklessly or funds that have been contributed to a mission or group without permission for personal reasons is unacceptable. Billing for office supplies for church work and using them personally is unacceptable. It's wasteful to spend church funds when they could be used more frugally. Using unspent funds for other purposes instead of returning them is also a misuse of finances. Additionally, using church phones or supplies for personal use is not acceptable.
When using items provided by the church, people often waste them simply because they don’t bear the cost. But if you truly love and respect God, you will value His belongings even more than your own. Parents should ensure their children do not play with or tear church envelopes or bulletins. Though these may seem trivial, each action can create a spiritual barrier in the relationship between God. Brothers and sisters, God warns against stealing, particularly regarding tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:8-9 says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!" Tithing acknowledges God's sovereignty, representing a tenth of our income as evidence of our faith.
Failing to tithe while claiming to believe equates to robbing God, leading to a curse. God does not curse those who don’t tithe; rather, their lack of tithing leaves them vulnerable to the enemy, resulting in financial difficulties and other hardships. Some may tithe but fail to give a complete amount, resulting in a lack of divine protection. Tithing should include a tenth of all income, not just salary, and this includes side jobs, allowances, and gifts. However, some exclude additional income or deduct expenses before calculating their tithe. (taxes, health insurance, and pensions) Some people calculate their tithes but choose to give them as they wish for missions or charitable purposes, which amounts to robbing God. Tithes must be given specifically as such, and their proper use is the church's responsibility. For more details, refer to the sermon on 'Complete Tithes and Offerings.' Next, withholding offerings—gifts of thanks separate to tithes—also constitutes as stealing from God.
For God's children who are saved, there are countless reasons to be grateful. We should be grateful for salvation and the path to heaven. We need to be thankful for the roles that help us build our heavenly rewards. We should thank God for His protection and blessings, believing that challenges will work together for good, leaving us with only reasons for gratitude. As Matthew 6:21 says, 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,' let us come to worship each Sunday with thank offerings, and set aside additional offerings for special events. This makes perfect sense. When people receive a favour or some help from others, they don’t just feel thankful; usually they try to repay it with actions, especially on birthdays or holidays.
It’s is a natural response for those who recognize their indebtedness to others. How much more should we, filled with hope for heaven and gratitude for our salvation, be generous toward God? Each week, as we experience His grace and receive answers to our prayers, we are inspired to give even more in thanks. Some people claim to have faith yet hesitate to thank God with their offerings. While they may tithe out of fear of its connection to salvation, they can be miserly with other offerings and often reluctantly give due to others’ opinions. As Matthew 6:24 tells us, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and wealth.” Being stingy toward God reveals a heart filled with greed rather than love for Him. This may be understandable for new believers, but for those with longer faith, it shows stagnation rather than growth in faith. You may end up forgetting the grace received and so, have fewer reasons for gratitude. When one fails to give what is due, it ultimately relates to their salvation. Everyone has different measures of faith, and God, knowing our circumstances and hearts, doesn’t focus on the amount given. Just as the widow who could only give two lepta was praised by Jesus, God desires true gratitude and the fragrance of faith. When you please God with this fragrance, you will receive blessings far greater than what you have given, ensuring your soul prospers and filling you with increasing reasons for thanks, repaying you thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. Dear brothers and sisters, may you give fully and generously in faith to God, enjoying His abundant blessings like a never-ending well. Brothers and sisters, another form of spiritual theft is robbing God's Word, particularly through false prophecies made in God's name.
Some claim to hear God's voice and speak about others' futures like fortune tellers. For example, I've heard someone tell a person struggling in business, ‘God has caused your failures because you must become a servant of the Lord.’ Alternatively, claiming that a dream or vision comes from God by saying God had given you this dream or showed you a vision—also constitutes stealing God's Word. This misuses God's name, akin to the explanation of the 3rd Commandment. Jeremiah 23:30-32 records, "’Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets,’ declares the Lord, ‘who steal My words from each other. Behold, I am against the prophets,’ declares the Lord, ‘who use their tongues and declare, 'The Lord declares.' Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,’ declares the Lord, ‘and led My people astray by their falsehoods and recklessness. I did not send them or command them, nor do they provide any benefit to this people,’ declares the Lord.” Of course, understanding and proclaiming God's will under the Holy Spirit’s inspiration is commendable.
But it is essential to examine whether you are a suitable vessel for delivering God's Word. The holy God does not reveal His voice to just anyone; He chooses those who are pure and free from evil to declare His will. I urge you to always guard your mouth with vigilance and avoid stealing God's Word in your thoughts. Dear brothers and sisters, Today we looked at the commandment: 'You shall not steal.' It constituted taking someone else's property without permission or acquiring it unjustly. We also addressed stealing from God. If you feel guilt or shame when taking something, you must reflect on yourself. Seeking personal gain by taking what isn't yours grieves the Holy Spirit and troubles your conscience. For instance, even if you're not physically stealing, underperforming at work whilst being paid or neglecting responsibilities will still trouble those with a good conscience. When a person committed to God uses scared time for personal matters, it equates to stealing time from God's kingdom and leads to a troubled conscience.
This principle applies not only to God's work but also to secular jobs and personal relationships, where keeping promises is vital. Dear brothers and sisters, I encourage you to cast aside selfishness and greed, and to seek the benefit of others with a sincere and faithful heart. May you all, in the name of the Lord, emerge as pure and blameless children of God in truth.
