Chapter 28

“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15.

The act of stealing can take different forms, such as burglary, robbery, shoplifting, embezzlement, inflating an invoice, failure to fulfill a debt when capable, extortion, and identity theft.

God gave Adam and Eve everything in the Garden of Eden to enjoy, with the exception of one restriction. They were not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They succumbed to the deception of the serpent, disobeyed God’s command and took the fruit that did not belong to them.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” Genesis 3:6-7.

There are consequences for making the choice to disobey God and engage in stealing. When they heard the footsteps of God in the garden there was nowhere to hide, but there were many excuses, and a lot of finger pointing. Adam said “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Eve’s excuse was “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Each of them bore personal responsibility for their actions and all three faced consequences as a result. Genesis 3:8-20.

Jacob, with the connivance of his mother Rebekah, tricked his father Isaac into giving him the blessing and inheritance that was meant for Esau, the older brother. It is one of the most significant narratives in the Bible about deceit and theft.

“So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” Genesis 27:22

“Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran and stay with him a while, until your brother’s fury turns away.” Genesis 27:41-44.

Twenty years later, when Jacob returned to the land of Canaan with his family, Esau forgave him, and they embraced and reconciled. They eventually parted amicably, and each went on to establish their own legacy and heritage.

“But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” John 12:4-6.

Judas Iscariot’s most infamous act was his betrayal of Jesus, but he was also a thief.  He was the keeper of the disciples’ money bag and was stealing from it.

“He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”” Matthew 21:13

Some historical records suggest that many temple money changers cheated, and merchants exploited their customers by charging exorbitant prices.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira were part of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. They sold their property and donated the proceeds to the apostles. However, they conspired to keep a portion of the money for themselves while lying that they gave the full amount.  

Peter confronted Ananias when he came to deliver the money. “…… Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.” Acts 5:4-5.

Sapphira arrived about 3 hours later unaware of what was happening. She repeated the lie that they donated the full amount. “Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.” Acts 5:10.

““And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”  And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”” (Luke 19:8-10).

Zacchaeus, a tax collector, repented for his dishonesty and Jesus showed mercy and forgiveness.

^“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43.

The thief to whom Jesus extended the hand of forgiveness while on the cross is sometimes called the “Penitent Thief” or the “Repentant Thief.” Just like the account of Zacchaeus, this narrative demonstrates that there is room for forgiveness for sinners who repent.