For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Thus far:
 

• We have analyzed the first seven commandments.
• The 6th - 9th commandments correspond to the teaching of most religions and cultures. Commandments 1-5 and 10 are peculiar to Judaism.
• Today we tackle the 8th.

Text

• The 8th commandment
• Exodus 20:15: You shall not steal.

Comments

• Code of Hammurabi (Babylonian)
  • The majority of crimes pertained to property.
  • Draconian penalties.
  • This code merely mirrored the unjust structures of the society in which is was produced. It was not divine in origin.
  • In the Bible, theft requires restitution. The thief must make it up to his victim financially, whatever it takes (Exodus 22:2).
     
• About the common misunderstanding of the lex talionis ("eye for eye"): the Torah dictated that the punishment must be appropriate to the crime (not out of proportion to it).
  • And yet even then the Jews preferred to settle things in court.
  • Note: the Jews did not execute for property crimes. The penalty for all crimes (except first degree murder) was commutable to monetary settlement.
• In the Bible, there is no double-standard.
  • Everyone from commoner to king were under the same holy standard.
  • The king is not a god, nor does he reign with immunity or impunity.

Application

• Some listeners have been involved in actual stealing -- shoplifting, intellectual piracy, burglary, corporate espionage, etc. Repent!
• If I am tasked with a financial responsibility, am I conducting myself 100% aboveboard? Judas helped himself to the moneybag (John 12:6). Has lack of integrity taken hold in my life?
• Other ways we may violate the 8th commandment:
  • Long lunch break?
  • Routinely late to work?
  • Calling in "sick" when I'm not that sick?
  • Underpaying certain employees? supporting a prejudicial system?
  • Accepting bribes? conniving at an unethical system?
  • False advertising?
  • Stealing credit?
• Theft in all its forms is forbidden for Christ-followers (Ephesians 4:28).
• We are to be not takers, but givers (Acts 20:35).