Stealing is a serious issue that affects many lives. The Bible offers clear guidance on the importance of honesty and respecting others’ property.
Understanding these verses can help us build stronger relationships and live according to God’s will.
Today, we will look at some key Bible verses that address stealing.
Bible Verses About Stealing
Exodus 20:15 – Stealing is prohibited by God’s commandments
“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15
Ephesians 4:28 – Our labor should be for good, not for taking from others
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” – Ephesians 4:28
Proverbs 21:6 – Ill-gotten gains are temporary and deceptive
“The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.” – Proverbs 21:6
Leviticus 19:11 – Honesty is vital to living righteously
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” – Leviticus 19:11
Psalm 37:21 – The wicked may steal, but the righteous repay
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalm 37:21
Luke 19:8 – True repentance leads to restitution
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'” – Luke 19:8
Proverbs 10:2 – Righteous riches come through honest means
“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 10:2
Jeremiah 7:9 – Stealing is part of a list of sinful acts
“Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known?” – Jeremiah 7:9
1 Corinthians 6:10 – The unrepentant will not inherit the Kingdom
“Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:10
Proverbs 28:24 – A thief dishonors their parents
“Whoever robs their father or mother and says, ‘It’s not wrong,’ is partner to one who destroys.” – Proverbs 28:24
Colossians 3:2 – We should set our hearts on things above, not on earthly desires
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Matthew 6:19 – Treasures on earth are not secure
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19
Zachariah 5:4 – God will bring judgment on those who steal
“The curse goes out over the whole land; for the Lord Almighty says, ‘I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name.'” – Zachariah 5:4
Job 24:14 – Stealing is a sign of a hardened heart
“The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and in the night steals from the widow.” – Job 24:14
Romans 13:9 – Love fulfills the law and condemns stealing
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Romans 13:9
Mark 10:19 – Jesus emphasizes the importance of following the commandments
“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud.'” – Mark 10:19
Micah 6:10 – God condemns dishonest practices
“Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short ephah, which is accursed?” – Micah 6:10
Psalm 119:36 – We need to turn our hearts towards God’s statutes
“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.” – Psalm 119:36
Proverbs 22:16 – Taking advantage of the poor leads to loss
“Whoever shoves aside the poor to get rich, or gives to the rich, both come to poverty.” – Proverbs 22:16
Isaiah 61:8 – God loves justice and despises robbery
“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.” – Isaiah 61:8
Acts 5:1-2 – Deception and stealing in the early church leads to dire consequences
“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.” – Acts 5:1-2
Proverbs 12:27 – The diligent gain through hard work, not theft
“The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.” – Proverbs 12:27
1 Thessalonians 4:6 – We are called to live holy lives, not to take from others
“And that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:6
Hebrews 13:5 – Our focus should be on contentment, not coveting what belongs to others
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” – Hebrews 13:5
Proverbs 20:17 – The sweet taste of stolen bread leads to bitterness
“Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” – Proverbs 20:17
1 Peter 4:15 – We should suffer for doing good, not for stealing
“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.” – 1 Peter 4:15
Proverbs 15:27 – Greed leads a person away from God’s will
“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
John 10:10 – Jesus came to give life abundantly, not to steal
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
Proverbs 29:24 – Associating with thieves leads to trouble
“The accomplice of thieves is their own enemy; they are put under oath and dare not testify.” – Proverbs 29:24
Malachi 3:8 – Stealing from God brings a curse
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings.” – Malachi 3:8
Also Read: 30 Bible Verses About Teamwork
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding what the Bible says about stealing can guide our actions and choices in everyday life. These verses remind us of the importance of honesty, integrity, and respect for others’ belongings.
They teach us that taking what isn’t ours not only harms others but also damages our own character.
By following these principles, we can build a more trustworthy and loving community.
Let’s strive to create an environment where honesty prevails, thereby fostering positive relationships and upholding the values that are important to us. Living a life that respects others’ property benefits everyone involved.