The Ten Commandments: Eighth Commandment

Exodus 20:15

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

There was a Christian salesman I knew who loved studying and teaching the Word of God. He was truly gifted at it. Often, instead of making sales calls, he would go to a restaurant and spend hours studying the Bible. There’s nothing wrong with studying the Bible, right? Unless... you're neglecting your job and stealing time from your employer! 

Or how about wasting time at work by making personal calls… and the list could go on!

The eighth command addresses stealing, which can show up in many parts of our lives. We will consider how it applies from the boardroom to the classroom—and everywhere in between. 

Let’s check it out.

TEN COMMANDMENTS REVIEW:
First Commandment: No god but God (Ex. 20:2-3)
Second Commandment: No Images (Ex. 20:4-6)
Third Commandment: Don’t misuse God’s name (Ex. 20:7)
Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11)
Fifth Commandment: Honor your father and mother (Ex. 20:12)
Sixth Commandment: Do not murder (Ex 20:13)
Seventh Commandment: Do not commit adultery (Ex. 20:14)

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: DO NOT STEAL (Ex. 20:15)

Exodus 20:15
You shall not steal.

At its core, this commandment is simple and straightforward. God owns everything. All we have is a gift from God, so don’t take what he has given to someone else. However, as mentioned earlier, this command has a broad scope. According to reformer Martin Luther, we are all guilty of this. He wrote, “If all thieves—who nevertheless do not wish to be considered as such—were to be hanged on the gallows, the world would soon be desolate and would be without both executioners and gallows.”[1]

The eighth command is not just about grand theft, stealing, or taking candy from the store. It pertains to how we live our lives in the hidden corners. Stealing isn’t only expressed through aggressive actions but also through indirect, subtle choices and behaviors. 

We can steal time, money, and possessions. We can use information from AI and claim it as our own. We can cheat on our taxes and on our spouse. We can misuse our employer's valuable resources.

Stealing demonstrates a lack of respect for others and goes against Jesus’ command often called the Golden Rule: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matt. 7:12). An old church curriculum, the Heidelberg Catechism, provides practical application of this command with this explanation: “That I do whatever I can for my neighbor’s good, and that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.”[2]

When we steal from someone, we ignore the fact that God is the one who has given them resources. It involves taking what isn't ours and refusing to use what God has provided us to help those in need. The apostle Paul says, “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” (Eph. 4:28). 

Jesus said that stealing, along with many other actions, is a matter of the heart (Matt. 15:19). Long before we steal with our hands, we cross the line in our inner being. It may seem like such a small thing at first, but our hearts can become calloused so easily.

There are other aspects of this commandment we could examine. Earlier, we discussed stealing from our employer. Let’s focus on an important issue impacting our children and culture today. 

AI applications are changing many aspects of our lives. They are powerful tools that can be used for good or bad. Many students are using AI applications to complete their assignments. According to a recent study, 92% of students use AI tools, 88% admit to using them for graded work, and from 2022-2026, AI-related misconduct increased from 1.6 to 7.5 per 1,000 students.

In a Forbes.com article, the authors highlighted AI challenges like “plagiarism, cheating, and learning.” Alex Lawrence, a professor at Weber State University, called AI “the greatest cheating tool ever invented.”[3]  Software meant to flag AI misuse can’t keep up. Over 90% of AI-generated assignments go undetected.[4]

Ultimately, stealing from others or sources is against God, and the risk of our children breaking this command is growing. 

Parents, we need to have some serious, Bible-based conversations with those God has entrusted to our leadership and care.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Read and reflect on Exodus 20:15. Where are you tempted to take shortcuts—time, credit, or resources—taking what doesn’t belong to you? 

Talking to God: Ask God to open your heart to areas that need change. 

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step.

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