Lesson 7
The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
What are we commanded by the seventh commandment?
By the seventh commandment we are commanded to respect what belongs to others, to live up to our business
agreements and to pay our just debts.
Better is a little with justice, than great revenue with iniquity. (Proverbs 16:8)
What does the seventh commandment forbid?
Besides stealing, the seventh commandment forbids cheating, unjust keeping of what belongs to others, unjust
damage to the property of others, and the accepting of bribes by public officials.
Do not any unjust thing in judgment, in rule, in weight, or in measure. Let the balance be just and the weights
equal, the bushel just, and the sextary equal. (Leviticus 19:35-36)
Are we obliged to restore to the owner stolen goods, or their value?
We are obliged to restore to the owner stolen goods, or their value, whenever we are able.
If any man steal an ox or a sheep, and kill or sell it, he shall restore five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one
sheep. (Exodus 22:1)
Are we obliged to repair damage unjustly done to the property of others?
We are obliged to repair damage unjustly done to the property of others, or to pay the amount of the damage, as
far as we are able.
If any man hurt a field or a vineyard, and put in his beast to feed upon that which is other men's, he shall restore
the best of whatsoever he hath in his own field, or in his vineyard, according to the estimation of the
damage. (Exodus 22:5)
Thou Shall Not Steal
This commandment forbids all unjust taking away or keeping what belongs to another.
Now everyone knows that it is wrong to steal. Civil Authorities certainly know because they put people in jails or
prisons for doing it.
But what everyone doesn't know is that almost everyone steals in one form or another.
Now lets look at a few examples:
1. A clerk in the supermarket gives you a five dollar bill in change instead of a one by mistake. You are
aware of the mistake but leave the store with the extra money. That is stealing.
2. A waitress in a restaurant bills you less for what you have ordered. You do not point out the error and
leave paying the lesser amount. That is stealing.
3. An employer takes advantage of an over supply of labor and pays his employees a less than livable
wage. He not only harms his employees, but also their families or dependants. That is stealing.
4. An employee does not put in a just day's work for a just day's pay. Or takes home paper clips, pens,
pencils, stationary, and other items without his employer's permission. Or uses the computer and
telephone when he should be putting in productive efforts. That is stealing.
Much better examples are the ones listed by the author Connon Francis Ripley in his book "This is the Faith":
Theft and robbery
Assisting in theft and robbery
Borrowing without hope or intentions of repaying
Rash speculation, without being able to bear possible loss
Unfair interference with another's success
Extravagance, especially when others are hurt by it
Accepting bribes
Receiving stolen goods while knowing they are stolen
Not restoring what has been unjustly taken or what has been lent to us
Not paying just wages during a reasonable time
Not taking reasonable pains to seek the owner of things found
Passing bad money in payment (bad checks)
Forging signatures to checks, etc.
Using false weights and measures
Adulteration of goods and any other form of cheating in business
Dishonest statements in insurance contracts
Usury or exorbitant interest
Willfully damaging property
Wasting time at work
Unlawful strikes
Refusal to pay rent
Not paying debts
Gambling away family savings
Cheating on exams in school
Plagiarism
Violation of copyright laws
There are many other ways a person can steal. You can steal one's affection, ruin their reputation,
destroy their business through unethical business practices, destroy their emotions, or steal their wives or
husbands.
There are however, times and situation when a person is permitted to steal. Such as stealing food in
order to save one's life. But, repayment eventually must be made.
