#3 – The 8th Commandment
Continuing our journey through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, September saw us study the 8th Commandment: “You shall not steal!” — the third in our Love Your Neighbour series. ❤️
This was a timely reminder that stealing isn’t always about taking something tangible that doesn’t belong to us.
Sometimes, even the little things we overlook — like turning up late for work, church or meetings — can turn out to be stealing. We’re stealing our employer’s time, or even God’s time, when we fail to honour our commitments.
Little things, we might think, but little things always lead to bigger things. 🙏❤️
Bible reading 📖
Exodus 20:15
KJV: “Thou shalt not steal.”
NIV: “You shall not steal.”
Esodo 20.15
Motu: Basio henao.
Just four simple words in both KJV and NIV, translated into just two words in my language — yet they carry such a powerful message! Imagine the difference we would make in our homes, churches, workplaces and communities if we all truly lived by these words.
When we look at the events leading up to Exodus 20, we see the Israelites freshly rescued from slavery in Egypt, now wandering in the wilderness. They were free, but they were still learning to trust God and live together as His people. Faced with hunger, thirst and uncertainty, they often grumbled against Moses and Aaron (Exodus 15–17).
The Bible doesn’t tell us that stealing and other wrongdoing were widespread among them at that time. However, God was establishing the standards by which His redeemed people were to live — loving Him and treating one another with honesty, fairness and respect.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines steal as “to take something without the permission or knowledge of the owner and keep it.”
We often think of stealing in terms of money, cars or other possessions. But what about the things we take for granted — other people’s time, trust or resources?
Stealing is not just about taking someone’s money or possessions. It can also make us reflect on how we use what belongs to others, including their time, resources and trust. Even the little things we dismiss as unimportant can reveal our attitudes towards others and our responsibilities.
As we reflect on this commandment, let’s look beyond what we must not take and consider how we can become people who respect, protect and honour what belongs to others.
Reflection: Am I respecting what belongs to my neighbour, including their time, trust and resources?
More importantly, am I honouring God with what He has blessed me with and entrusted to my care? Or, in taking what is not mine or withholding what I ought to give, am I stealing from God as well as from others?
May we remember that everything we have is ultimately entrusted to us by God, and may we be faithful stewards of His blessings. 🙏❤️
Prayer 🙏
Heavenly Father, help us to be honest and faithful in both the big and little things. Teach us to respect others, honour our commitments and love our neighbours not only in words but also through our actions. May our lives reflect Your goodness wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🙏❤️
To God be the glory always ❤️🙏
