What Does the Bible Say About Stealing?

by | Articles, The Ten Commandments

Introduction

The act of stealing is addressed in the Bible with clarity and moral guidance. Scriptures provide insight into God’s perspective on theft, emphasizing the importance of honesty, integrity, and respecting others’ possessions. This exploration delves into the biblical teachings regarding stealing, its consequences, and the transformative power of repentance.

The Commandment Against Stealing: The Ten Commandments, foundational moral guidelines for believers, explicitly condemn stealing:

  1. “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15 ESV) This definitive command establishes theft as morally wrong in God’s eyes. It makes unlawfully taking another’s property an unconditional violation of virtue. As foundational divine law, this categorizes stealing alongside sins like idolatry or murder.
  2. “You shall not steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19 ESV) Moses’ reiteration doubles down that stealing stands unconditionally prohibited. This secondary passage affirming the same command leaves no doubt God sees protecting others’ rightful property as non-negotiable.
  3. “Do not steal.” (Matthew 19:18 ESV) Here Jesus Himself affirms the enduring validity of the commandment against stealing under the new covenant of grace. This New Testament reinforcement confirms that despite the grace brought by Christ, God’s standard upholding personal property remains timeless.
  4. “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” (Luke 18:20 ESV) Once again Jesus references stealing alongside binding commands that endure from Old to New Testament. This pairing of theft alongside grave sins confirms its ongoing status as seriously contrary to God’s standards.

Consequences of Stealing: The Bible outlines the negative consequences of engaging in theft, both in earthly and spiritual terms:

  1. “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.” (Proverbs 6:30-31 ESV) This statement underscores that despite potential sympathy for motives, stealing carries concrete material consequences. It also suggests that desperate situations do not excuse violating others’ rights. The sevenfold restitution hints at the cascading impact of theft.
  2. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV) This warning identifies thieves among those outside God’s kingdom, facing eternal judgment. It powerfully pairs stealing with the most serious vices. This underscores theft’s gravity, qualifying it among the sins that reflect complete unrighteousness and separation from God.
  3. “Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations?” (Jeremiah 7:9-10 ESV) Here God condenses stealing with idolatry and other sins regarded as morally abhorrent. The passage suggests that just as deceitfully claiming redemption while practicing other sins proves abominable, so does reconciling stealing with genuine faith.
  4. “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV) This exhortation identifies theft as wholly incompatible with the new life of a regenerated believer. It demands thieves renounce old patterns and embrace honest work and generosity. This associates authentic faith with polar shifts regarding possessions.

The Transformative Power of Repentance: The Bible also emphasizes the possibility of repentance and transformation for those who have engaged in stealing:

  1. “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.’” (Luke 19:8 ESV) Zacchaeus’ repentance showcases the transformative power of sincerely acknowledging wrongdoing and making sweeping restitution. Despite habitual sin, his values shift profoundly through surrendered faith.
  2. “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38) Peter’s invitation hints at the application of Christ’s redemptive work even to criminals deserving jail. The possibility of cleansing through God’s Spirit implies hope for identity reform.
  3. “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV) Paul echoes that the Corinthians’ identity as thieves stopped defining them through salvation. This radical transformation of life trajectories highlights redemption’s reach. In Jesus, thieves become radically new creations.
  4. “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV) This exhortation calls thieves to a 180-degree turn through the empowering grace of God. The expectation to work and become generous witnesses to lavish kingdom ethics hints at identity makeovers ahead for surrendered thieves.

Honest Labor as an Alternative: Scripture encourages believers to engage in honest labor rather than resorting to theft:

  1. “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV) This command envisions radical redirection for thieves toward legitimate livelihoods through manual labor. It contrasts stealing with the dignity of working to meet needs through righteous means that allow for generosity.
  2. “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV) Paul elevates the moral imperative of personal effort to provide for oneself, denying relief to those unwilling but able to work. His ethic ties food to the responsibility to pursue legal means of acquiring resources.
  3. “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 ESV) Here hard work prepares Christ-followers to become a blessing rather than burden on others. Consistent labor readies hands to extend help amid adversity. Effort expunges victim mentalities.
  4. “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.” (Proverbs 10:4-5 ESV) These verses directly link legitimate prosperity with disciplined initiative and industry. In contrast, attempting shortcuts through criminal means brings lasting dishonor. There are no long-term faster paths to stable provision than diligence.

Restitution and Making Amends: The Bible emphasizes the importance of restitution as a way to make amends for stolen property:

  1. “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.” (Exodus 22:1 ESV) This principle under the Mosaic law creates multi-fold consequences for theft, hinting that restitution must exceed original losses. It sets a standard of liability extending beyond merely returning pilfered livestock. Financial penalties become part of the equation.
  2. “If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.” (Exodus 22:4 ESV) This accompanies the previous regulation, doubling required restitution for confiscated livestock. The duplicate payment likely sought to discourage profiteering, since returning merely the original animal could incentivize repeated thefts.
  3. “Thus says the Lord God of Israel…return his pledge, restore what he took by robbery…walk in the statutes of life, doing no injustice…He shall surely live, he shall not die.” (Ezekiel 33:15-16 ESV) Through Ezekiel, God defines repentance from robbery as willingly making full restitution. Returning ill-gotten gain becomes the true fruit of conversion, ensuring divine favor.
  4. “Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (Luke 19:8 ESV) Zacchaeus models overflowing restitution, resolving to repay abundantly more than stolen for his peace of conscience before God. Despite minimal legal obligations, true repentance compels making costly amends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible soundly condemns stealing as violating God’s commandments and righteous character. Scripture outlines harsh consequences for theft in this life and the next. However, the hope of the Gospel applies even to career thieves, offering identity transformation through God’s grace for those desiring new lives of honest labor and generosity. Additionally, specific principles regarding restitution encourage making costly amends to those defrauded. By applying biblical truths about stealing, believers can walk in greater integrity, contribute to a just society, and represent the righteous character of God.