Back to the Basics: A Heart That Doesn’t Take

Exodus 20:15

Exodus 20:15, “You shall not steal,” seems to be a very short commandment because it is just 4 words, but it has deep and far-reaching implications for us. At first glance, this commandment seems so simple that it is elementary. Many would say, “I have never robbed a bank, or I have never taken anything that does not belong to me.” Or “they may say I have only taken small things like a pen or a notepad.” From a Christian’s perspective, we must understand that God’s law is not merely about outward behavior, but about the condition of the heart. In this light, the commandment challenges us to look past just our actions. This commandment is not about restraint in action, but about an invitation into a life transformed by grace.

The command is quite clear: “You shall not steal.” It is on the surface about respecting what belongs to others. This commandment establishes a foundational principle for us to follow. God honors rightful ownership, and He calls His people to do the same. Theft, at its most basic, is taking what does not belong to you, depriving someone of what is rightfully theirs, and violating trust and justice.

In the Old Testament, theft was taken seriously because it disrupts community stability, economic fairness, and relational trust. This commandment is not just about property; it is about justice and love for our neighbors. To see this from our Christian perspective, remember that love is not abstract; it is a practical act: to love your neighbor means not to exploit, cheat, or take advantage of them. A holy life expresses itself in how we treat others’ possessions, time, and dignity.

Building on this, I have to remind you that sin is not just a behavior but a condition of the heart. The question begs to be asked, “Why do people steal?” At its roots, theft often flows from a few different attitudes. First, there is greed, which is a desire for more of what God has provided. Another is discontentment, which is dissatisfaction with God’s provision. Another is the lack of trust, which is doubting that God will meet our needs. Finally, self-centeredness, which is placing our desires above other rights. As you can see, many of these start with an inward disposition before becoming an outward action.

If you have never physically stolen anything, you must ask yourself these questions. Do I envy what other people have? Do I manipulate situations for personal gain? Do I take credit for someone else's work? Do I withhold what I owe? If you’re honest with yourself, I know you will say, just like I have said, that you're guilty of saying yes to some of these questions.

Jesus expands the law to the heart. Just as anger relates to murder and lust to adultery, coveting and greed relate to theft. Holiness is not just refraining from stealing, but being transformed so you no longer desire what is not yours.

Today, this commandment is as relevant as it was to the ancient Israelites. Theft can take many subtle forms. One example of modern-day theft is financial dishonesty, such as cheating on your taxes, taking advantage of the system, or failing to pay a fair wage. Still another way is workplace theft, such as wasting time while being paid, taking supplies without permission, doing the bare minimum work while expecting full compensation, or using business equipment for personal gain. Relational theft is a form of modern-day thievery where you take advantage of someone’s kindness, manipulate others emotionally, or fail to honor commitments. Most importantly, you can rob God by taking the glory that belongs to him or using the gifts he gave you for self-promotion rather than serving him.

So how can we avoid these subtle forms of theft in daily life? To answer this, here are some simple and practical steps: Be honest in all financial matters, whether filing taxes, fulfilling contracts, or repaying debts, no matter how small. Give a full and fair effort at work, even when no one is watching. Treat company time and resources with the same respect you would your own. Acknowledge the contributions of others instead of taking credit for what is not yours. Keep your promises and honor your commitments in relationships, valuing trust over personal advantage. Regularly ask God to examine your heart and reveal any areas where you may be tempted to take rather than give. Practice generosity, whether it is with your time, resources, or encouragement, shifting your focus from self to others.

By being attentive to these small decisions each day, we allow God's commandment to shape both our actions and our hearts.

If we want to walk wholly with God, it must touch every area of our lives. Moving from abstract ideals to real-world practice, remember that there is no division between the spiritual and the practical. A holy heart produces honest work, fair dealings, and integrity in all we do.

The commandments are not only prohibitions, but they also point us to a better way of living. To understand this better, the opposite of stealing is not just not stealing, but it is stewardship and generosity. We are called to respect what belongs to others, use what God has given us wisely, and share with those in need. We must let God’s grace transform our hearts from taking to giving, greed to generosity, and selfishness to love. Living out this commandment is marked with open hands, not grasping Hands.

Just as with all the other commandments, we must let God work to cleanse our hearts of inner sin and fill them with his perfect love. When we have a heart fully surrendered to God, greed loses its grip, envy is replaced with gratitude, and selfish ambition gives way to love. This doesn’t mean we’ll be perfect, but we will be making progress towards purification. When our hearts are surrendered to God, our desires become God’s desires, we will love sincerely towards others, and we will live with integrity naturally. This commandment, “you shall not steal,” does not become a burden but a joyful expression of a transformed life.

You may ask yourself, Pastor Ken, “How can I apply this commandment to my life today?” Practice contentment and be thankful for what God has given you. Walk in Integrity, which means doing what is right even when no one is watching. Making restitution when needed means if you wronged someone, make it right. Live generously, give freely of your time, resources, and love. Most importantly, trust God fully and believe that He is your provider.

"You shall not steal" is more than a commandment; it is a call to a life of holy love. Rather than focusing on what we do, God cares about who we become. Through His grace, we are invited to lay down our selfishness, purify our hearts, and live with integrity and generosity. Therefore, let us not just settle for outward obedience alone, but also seek the deeper works of God’s grace that transform our hearts. As we do this, let God search your heart and cleanse you from any selfishness, greed, and discontentment, filling it instead with integrity, generosity, and trust. In this way, our lives will reflect the fullness of His love and the transforming power of His grace.