The Ten Commandments: Don’t Steal

The Ten Commandments: Don’t Steal

Bible Blast: Read Luke 6:28-30

You must not steal. Exodus 20:15

How many ways can we say this commandment?

“Don’t rob people.”

“Don’t take something that isn’t yours.”

“If the sign says Take One, don’t take two.”

This is an idea we begin teaching children at a very young age. If one child is playing with a truck and the other one takes it out of his hands, we say, “Now, Jimmy, you need to ask for the truck if you want to play with it. You can’t just take it from Billy. Say, ‘May I have it, please?’”

How do we deal with it when another person takes something from us without our permission? The Bible has the answer: “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back” (Luke 6:28-30).

Maybe you’re thinking, What?! So when someone steals from me, I’m just supposed to forget about it? Actually, no. Read the first part of that again: “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” That could be pretty hard to do. But the prayer of blessing is an act of love. You’re choosing to love someone who may not like you at all.

What if a big bully came up to you and said, “Give me your coat, or I’m gonna beat you up!” and you responded with, “Okay! And please take my hat, too! And before you walk away, let me pray for you.” The look on that bully’s face would be priceless! Maybe he would even change his mind about stealing from you.

God’s motivation is always love. When Jesus was on the cross dying, he said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” Those people were literally killing him, and yet he was overwhelmed with love and compassion! If you have Jesus in your heart, you have everything you need to be loving toward someone who hurts you.

Girl Gab: Have you ever stolen anything? Talk about what God wants you to do about that.