Eighth Commandment

Eighth Commandment        

Exodus 20:15 “You shall not steal”

Extra Reading: Exodus 20:1-21

The eighth commandment is God’s law protecting all private property and possessions. God commands everyone not to steal. Because men do not think the God who gave this commandment is real-and do not fear to disobey His law-we have more literal theft than ever before. But we also violate the eighth commandment in hundreds of ways through a watered down system of morality. After a meeting involving false measurement, poor quality or misleading advertising, a businessman will say: “What’s the difference? If I don’t do it, somebody else will.”  When cheating the government or falsifying an income tax return, the commonly used phrase to salve one’s conscience is: “Let the government sweat this time. They’re taking too much money anyway. So what?’  Well, it also happens to be God’s business-and He has set in motion a law stating: “You shall not steal”. When you break God’s law, it breaks you! For God’s laws are living, active things-like the law of gravity. When you transgress them, the punishment is automatic-and it is sure.

According to God’s Word and His law, there are only two right ways by which you can come into possession of anything. The first is by free gift-or an inheritance-from another person, or from God Himself. The second is by honest labour, which earns something as a legitimate return. Any other way is theft-the taking from another that which belongs to him. The eighth commandment recognizes the legitimate acquisition of property, and forbids theft. It is important to note that, in principle, the eighth commandment forbids all forms of communism which deny man’s right to property. It also forbids international thievery in which governments forcibly confiscate and steal the property and possessions of their own or other nations’ citizens. And, to our lasting shame, all nations stand guilty of breaking God’s law in this respect!

Prayer: O Lord, teach us to respect the properties of others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Rev. Samuel N. Modise