INTRODUCTION
A Sunday School teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong. “All right children, let’s take another example,” she said. “If I were to get into a man’s pocket and take his wallet and remove all his money, what would I be?” Little Johnny’s hand went up. “I know, I know,” he said. “All right Johnny,” the teacher said, “What would I be?” With a confident smile Johnny says, “You’d be his wife.”
Most of us don’t think we have a problem with stealing and we don’t steal in the armed robbery or burgler sense. But is that all that is meant by stealing? There are 138 synonyms for stealing. How about this list:
1. The kid at McDonald’s gives you too much change and you keep it.
2. You find money and don’t try to find who lost it. (Finders keepers)
3. You take an ink pen or paper clips home from work.
4. You do personal work while on the clock at work.
5. You read your personal email while you’re on the job.
6. You copy a tape or CD of your favorite music.
7. You buy the lunch special and your wife buys the buffet and you eat food off her plate.
8. You have an expense account at work of $30 per day. You spend $15 and pocket the other $15.
9. You take a sick day when you are not sick.
Maybe we’re not so innocent after all. One of the biggest things in the Christian life should be integrity. The world is watching. I want to address today’s Commandment, the 8th Commandment, “You shall not steal.” I’ll present three categories: (1) Stealing is a violation of the law, (2) Stealing is a violation of loyalty, (3) Stealing is a violation of love.
I. STEALING IS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW
Billions of dollars are lost every year in this country over the theft of goods and services. One estimate says that 1 out of every 52 shoppers carries something out of the supermarket for which they haven’t paid. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 4 million people are caught shoplifting every year. But for every one caught, 35 others get away with it. This means that there are over 140 million incidents of shoplifting every year in America! What’s shocking is that only 10% of all shoplifters come from low incomes. 70% are middle class and 20% are classified as wealthy (Wynona Rider, for example). America is a country of thieves. One new hotel reported that in their first ten months of operation they lost 38,000 spoons, 18,000 towels, 355 silver coffee pots, 1500 finger bowls and 100 Bibles.
Regardless of the reason, stealing is wrong! God declares it to be a sin.
A. The Correct Means of Getting Gain
God has authorized three primary methods by which people can legitimately increase their possessions.
1. As a Reward for Work
Contrary to popular belief, work is not a curse! (Remember Maynard G. Cribbs on The Dobie Gillis show?)
2 Thessalonians 3:10
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. NKJV
2. By the Reception of a Gift
“Give and it shall be given unto you.” All of us receive gifts from family and friends. This is as it should be. I’m thankful that the Government is beginning to remove estate taxes from gifts that we leave behind. The early church was characterized by giving to meet needs of the less fortunate. Did you know that on our giving envelopes there are two categories for giving this way (Sharing love with Lincoln Park and Benevolence work)?
3. As a Response to Prayer
Matthew 21:22
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
John 14:14
14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Illus.- While in seminary I had a car that was a gas guzzler. The oil embargo had hit causing gasoline prices to go way up. I couldn’t afford to buy gas so we prayed for a smaller car. A couple who were headed to the mission field came to us and said they felt God was leading them to give us their Toyoto. In the meanwhile, a family in our church had wrecked their car and asked if they could buy my gas guzzler. I sold them the car and gave the money to our friends to help them on the mission field.
B. The Corrupt means of Getting Gain
This is taking what is not rightfully yours.
Ephesians 4:28
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. NKJV
Theft costs America more than 120 billion dollars each year. It can cost you your testimony. Christians should be the best employees.
Joke – A young man went to look for a job where they weren’t looking to hire anyone. The conversation went something like this: Manager: “I’m sorry I can’t hire you, but there isn’t enough work to keep you busy.” Applicant; “You’d be surprised how little it takes.”
There is a correct means and a corrupt means for getting gain.
II. STEALING IS A VIOLATION OF LOYALTY
A. As an Employee
USA Today reported that 48% of all American workers took something from an employer last year.
Illus.- A preacher by the name of F.E. Marsh preached on this subject. A young man came to see him and said, “Pastor, you have put me into a bad fix. I’ve stolen from my employer, and I’m ashamed to tell him about it. You see, I’m a boat builder and the man I work for is lost. I have talked with him about Christ, but he only laughs at me. In my work, expensive copper nails are used because they won’t rust in water. I’ve been taking some of them for a boat I’m building in my backyard. I’m afraid if I tell my boss what I’ve done and offer to pay for them, he’ll think I’m a hypocrite, and I’ll never be able to reach him for Christ.” When the preacher saw him again the man was excited. He said. “Pastor, I’ve settled that matter and I’m so relieved.” What happened?” asked the preacher. “Oh, he looked at me intently and said, ‘George, I’ve always thought you were a hypocrite, but now I’m not so sure. Maybe there’s something to your Christianity after all. Any religion that makes a man admit he’s been stealing must be worth having.”
B. As an Employer
Colossians 4:1
1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
If you are under paying, overworking and mistreating your employees you are stealing.
C. In our Ethics
Borrowing something and not bringing it back (tools, books).
Honoring our debts.
Cheating on taxes. Illus. – A man who had cheated the IRS out of hundreds of dollars developed a guilty conscience. He wrote a check for $500 dollars and enclosed a note that said, “I underpaid my taxes last year and I’m feeling guilty. Please accept the enclosed payment I owe you. And, if I don’t feel any better after this, I’ll send you the rest that I owe you.”
III. STEALING IS A VIOLATION OF LOVE (God’s Love)
The love of God should restrain us from stealing and constrain us to give. How are we violating God’s love in this area? 4 ways:
A. The Stealing of the Tithe
Malachi 3:8-10
8 "Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
’In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,"
Says the LORD of hosts,
"If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
B. The Stealing of Time
How much time do you give God who gave Jesus for you?
C. The Stealing of Titles
Jesus is Lord. We should follow His example when He prayed to God, “Not my will but Thy will be done.” By the way we live we are saying to God, Not Thy will but my will be done.”
D. The Stealing of Talents
When you are saved God gives you certain spiritual gifts. These are to be used in the body of Christ, the church. Are you using the gifts he gave you? If not you are stealing from God.
CLOSING
Danny Sampson robbed a bank in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He used a hand-me-down Colt 45 and stole $6000. When the Royal Canadian Mounted Police caught him and confiscated the gun they sent the gun to the lab. The laboratory recognized the gun as a collector’s prize. It was worth over $100,000. Danny didn’t have to rob a bank, he was wealthy and didn’t know it.
Stealing for Christians is like that. We have all the blessings of God but aren’t appropriating them. Instead we stoop to the world’s level and steal, cheat and bargain away our integrity.
The Bible says, “Let him who stole steal no more.” (Eph.4:28) Then it says, “and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (V.30). We need to walk in integrity.
Perhaps you need to recommit yourself to God today. Or, join the church. Or, give your life to Jesus. The Bible says, “times of refreshing will come” when you get honest with God.
