The Eighth Commandment

(Exodus 20:15) "Thou shalt not steal."

This commandment is straight forward and requires little explanation. Simply stated, we violate this commandment when we take from someone, even from God, their material goods or withhold from them that which is due. (Malachi 3:8) "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

The tribe of Levi inherited the priesthood instead of land therefore all of the other tribes were to tithe the fruit of their harvest, both of plant and animals, and give it to the Levites to provide for them. But even before that, Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek king of Salem. (Genesis 14:18-20) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (19) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (20) And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

GOD's people are also to be generous to whom we can, as Jesus taught, (Luke 6:27-38) "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, (28) Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (29) And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. (30) Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. (31) And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (32) For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. (33) And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. (34) And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. (35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." If we see a need, we are to give an offering as a gift, not a duty, just as The Father gives the light and warmth of the sun to all, good and bad.

And stealing is stealing, no matter the size of the item. We are just as much thieves when we steal from our boss, by taking his pen home from work, as we are when we steal cash from his cashregister.

God has made us stewards of every material gift He has given. It is an intrusion and violation to rob through fraud, trickery, deceit, or force.

(Matthew 5:48) "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."