You Shall Not Steal

Yee Siew Meng

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Scripture: Exodus 20:15

Is the Old Testament all law and no grace? God had intended that we fulfil the law by loving our neighbour. Love does no wrong to anyone.

Ephesians 4:8 - let the thief no longer steal, but labour honestly so as to be a blessing to others. We do good because we have received God's favour and blessing.

1. Common thief
e.g. Achan in Joshua 7 - he saw, he coveted, he took. What about us? How many bills we have not paid? How much work time have we stolen from our employers for our personal activities? Is there a loan we have not repaid?

2. Unjust thief
e.g. Amos 8:5-8 - the rich treated the poor unjustly by cheating them. Deuteronomy 24:14-15. If we do not pay our dues on time for whatever reason, we have stolen that money, and God will judge us. Malachi 3:5.

3. Christian thief
We rob God if we do not give our tithes and offerings - Malachi 3:8-10. The core problem is that people do not trust God to provide for our needs.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 - the church received grace and gave themselves to God, and were overflowing with generosity even though they were in extreme poverty.

We are no longer required to tithe, but are called to give according to our means, and beyond.