Welcome back to our series today on 'things that the Lord commands us not to do.' Today we will look at yet another short, sweet, and simple command:"You shall not steal." -Exodus 20:15
This is the eighth commandment in the Ten Commandments. The Lord distinctly tells us that we should not steal. There's no way to beat around the bush this time. Don't steal, and that's final. But, some stealing is worse than others right?
Like swiping a Twix from the corner store isn't as bad as say, I don't know, stealing 10 million dollars from a bank, right?
Or taking an older man's walking cane, isn't as bad as maybe stealing a car, right?
Or even using your bank position to slip a few more funds into your account isn't as bad as
stealing some expensive jewelry, right? These are just little things, right?WRONG! Stealing is stealing, and that's that! The Lord hates all sin equally, there's no doubt about it! Don't try to fool yourself. Don't try to convince yourself that one sin isn't as bad as another!
Stealing has consequences, too. You might want to compare a bottle of poison to stealing. The bottle looks fun and yummy to drink. All of your instincts tell you that it's great! Go ahead and drink some, you'll enjoy it! You don't bother to read the warning label (the Bible) which tells you about what's gonna happen after you drink some. When you drink some, at first it may seem tasty and fun, but later you will sincerely be tormented. Maybe not in a great way, maybe it will just be a nagging in the back of your mind. DON'T GIVE INTO THE TEMPTATION OF STEALING! It's not what it may seem to be. READ THE WARNING LABEL!