stealing – La Vista Church of Christ

Don’t Be a Thief!

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:36:08 +0000

by Mike Johnson
via Seeking Things Above, Vol. 6 No. 2, May 2025

Ephesians 4:17-32 is one of many passages in the New Testament that describe the transformation that is supposed to occur when a person becomes a Christian. The Bible tells Christians to put off the old man, i.e., our former sinful conduct, and put on the new man in faithful service to Christ. This article will focus on stealing, one of the sins Paul wrote to the Ephesians about. Ephesians 4:28 says, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”

The fact that Paul even wrote to Christians about stealing might surprise some. However, the Gospel can lead to the conversion of people who have committed all kinds of sins. At Corinth, for example, Christians had been guilty of such sins as murder, extortion, and fornication (I Corinthians 6:9-10). Perhaps some of the Ephesians had been thieves, and maybe some of it was still occurring. It may have been that certain individuals needed to avoid particular activities, which might have been classified as stealing but would not have been viewed as very serious.

The Bible frequently condemns stealing. The Ten Commandments say, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Leviticus 19:11 spells out, “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another,” and Leviticus 19:13 continues, “You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.” I Corinthians 6:9-10 tells us theft was among the former practices of the Corinthians. Those guilty of stealing and the other sins listed would not be able to “inherit the kingdom of God.”

Stealing can take many forms. The most obvious would be robbing a bank, breaking into a house, shoplifting, embezzling from an employer, identity theft, or robbing someone on the street. But there are more passive ways to steal. Consider some examples of how we can do this.

In a routine business exchange, we can steal by allowing someone to give us more money than we are entitled to in a transaction. If you pay, for instance, for something with a ten-dollar bill, and the clerk gives you change as if you had paid with a twenty, would you say anything about it?
Not being truthful about a product we are selling is a form of stealing. Some occupations require this.
We can steal from our employer by not working as required.
We cheat on our income taxes, essentially stealing from the government.
We steal from the Lord when we do not give as we have been prospered (I Corinthians 16:1-2; Malachi 3:8-10).

In business transactions, some people say things to justify dishonesty, such as, “Well, that is just good business.” Christians must prioritize integrity over financial gain.

Instead of stealing, what should a person do? The text says, “but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good”(Ephesians 4:28). Hardworking people are less likely to be dishonest because they know the value of work and wages.

The word translated as “labor” in this passage refers to strenuous work that produces fatigue [The Complete Word Study Dictionary]. Paul uses it to refer to manual labor (1 Corinthians 4:12; Acts 20:34-35), and he uses the term to describe spiritual endeavor as we work for the Lord (Romans 6:12; Galatians 4:11; Philippians 2:16).

A person who steals typically takes what belongs to people who have worked hard for what they have. The selfish and lazy thief says, “I’m not going to work as the person I am stealing from did; I’ll just take it for free!” In one sense, the thief is stealing “time” — the time it took for the victim to earn money to buy what the thief took from him.

The text also tells us that the work must be honest when it says, “that which is good.” The ESV says, “doing honest work with his own hands." For example, you might have a hardworking person who engages in dishonest behavior to obtain money. (A person can be a hardworking thief.) So, not just any kind of work is acceptable; the work must be honest.

Paul also cites a reason for working at the end of Ephesians 4:28. Is it to obtain a lot of money and be wealthy? The verse continues, “that he may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). We have an essential responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families (I Timothy 5:8). Still, another reason is to have the money to help the needy. The Bible frequently speaks of helping the needy (Galatians 2:10; 6:10; Matthew 5:7; 25:36). (By the way, it also talks about not helping those who will not work in II Thessalonians 3:6,10-12.) However, there is a legitimate need everywhere, and we must recognize that one of the primary reasons for working is to help those in need.

Undoubtedly, most reading this would not steal from others, for example, by robbing a bank or holding up a gas station, but if faced with such temptations, we must resist. However, many may have stolen in more “respectable” ways, as mentioned earlier. It is essential to work for your money. By doing so, you can provide for yourself and your family. Having been blessed by God, you can even help those in need who are unable to work. We must put off the “old man” and put on the new, as the Scriptures admonish.

An Industrious Worker

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 17:16:06 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/An-Industrious-Worker.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Download Audio

Text: Proverbs 24:30-34

I. The Bible commends diligent work

A. Jacob had his faults, but one thing we notice is that he was an industrious worker

1. Genesis 31:38-39 - A summary of his work record.

a. Prosperous growth in herds

b. No miscarriages in 20 years

c. No losses from wild animals or from his own personal use since he replace all that was lost from his own funds.

B. Potiphar was able to trust Joseph with everything he owned - Genesis 39:6

C. Ruth worked all day pick up grain and then after nightfall threshed what she gathered - Ruth 2:17

D. Jehoiada’s workmen were so faithful, no one had to audit them - II Kings 12:9-15

E. Daniel’s enemies could not find anything with which to charge Daniel - Daniel 6:4

II. Workers who are like these people are too rare.

A. Perhaps we don’t train young people to be diligent in their labors.

1. Society glorifies getting by with the minimum. It is “great” so long as it is good enough.

2. Solomon urges us to learn from the ant - Proverbs 6:6-8

a. God’s design in nature can teach us about working!

b. Job 12:7-10 - There is a lot to learn from nature.

B. We always labored. Adam and Eve were given charge to care for the garden of Eden. - Genesis 2:15

C. Paul did not just preached the Gospel, he lived it - I Thessalonians 2:8-12

1. Paul worked with his own hands - I Corinthians 4:11-12

2. He taught during the day and made tents at night - Acts 18:2-3

3. Hence, Paul claimed he wronged no one - II Corinthians 7:2

III. Poor work habits may not be obvious

A. Laziness and negligence - not giving your all

1. Proverbs 10:4 - Negligence brings poverty.

2. Proverbs 13:4 - The lazy craves and gets nothing

3. Proverbs 18:9 - A lazy worker is destructive.

B. Chasing after useless things - Proverbs 12:11

1. Busy, but not focused on what needs to be done.

C. Wasting time in talk - Proverbs 14:3

D. Stealing from others - Leviticus 6:2-5

1. Deceives in regard to funds entrusted with him

2. Steals

3. Cheats

a. Using false balance - Proverbs 11:1

4. Finds lost property and lies about it

IV. A Christian must work, and work well for his employer - II Thessalonians 3:11

A. Even if you work for yourself, you still need to put effort into what you do

1. Ownership of anything requires upkeep - Ecclesiastes 10:18

2. Laziness with your own things is just as bad - Proverbs 24:30-34

B. Work with full effort - Ephesians 4:28

1. You can’t sleep away the day and expect gain - Proverbs 20:13

2. Work with all your might - Ecclesiastes 9:10

3. The virtuous woman did not eat the bread of idleness - Proverbs 31:27

C. Labor with skill - Proverbs 22:29

D. Work with an eye to what may come next

1. This is the lesson from the ant - Proverbs 6:6-8

2. Prepare for hard times while things are going well - Proverbs 10:5

E. Be a trustworthy employee

1. I Corinthians 4:2 - Stewards are suppose to be trustworthy.

2. Luke 16:10-12 - God expects us to be trustworthy with the things of this world.

3. Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth gained by fraud dwindles

4. Leviticus 19:35 - Our business dealings are to be fair.

Did I steal?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 02:33:06 +0000

Question:

Last year, I went to Goodwill to buy books about dinosaurs and dragons because they are cool. It was seven books. I went up to the cashier to purchase the books. The cashier was someone I know. He scanned the books I wanted to purchase, but I noticed that only three were scanned. I told him about the other books that weren't scanned, and he told me that it was a discount, which I guess he meant he was giving them to me for free. I told him again about the other books not being scanned into the register, and he told me to stop talking. After that, I paid for what was scanned and went on my way. Did I steal the books that weren't scanned? I wanted to go back and pay for the books, but I didn't want to make the employee think he was letting me steal. I feel bad about it, so I decided to make it up by donating five dollars for the books that weren't scanned.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing what you think.

Answer:

You didn't steal from the store; the employee did. It was a difficult situation, but since you knew the employee was cheating his employer, you approved what he was doing by taking the books. "And although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" (Romans 1:32).

Your decision to donate money to the business to pay for the books is a good solution to the problem.

Response:

Thank you so much for your response. I didn't want the business to lose money, so I thought donating money to them would be an awesome way to make up for the books. A month or two ago, I donated five more dollars to show I still feel bad about what happened a year ago.

Am I wrong to associate with someone who steals?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 01:09:04 +0000

Question:

I have some friends who live in a senior retirement home. I met one of them about a year ago and was introduced to some more of his friends. I also live in the same retirement home. I am the only one who is a member of the church of Christ.

Hearing them talk, I learned that they like to go boosting from time to time. I had no idea what they meant by boosting, but I learned it was a sneaky way of stealing in grocery stores.

One of the guys occasionally invites me out to lunch or comes to my house. Lately, he has been attending worship with me.

My question is, am I in sin for being around the guy?

Answer:

"I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one" (I Corinthians 5:9-11).

The only way to convert people from the world is to have some level of association with them. You need to ask yourself two questions:

Does he assume that you think his sin is acceptable because you associate with him? Does he think that his sin is acceptable because he is going to worship?
Will associating with him draw you into his sin?

I assume that the answers to both questions are in the negative. Encourage him to live righteously before God and to become a Christian. His time on earth is limited and now is not the time to throw away the opportunity to go to heaven.

Response:

Thank you for answering my questions.

When should the treasurer be allowed to teach after stealing from the church?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 09 May 2024 22:33:09 +0000

Question:

Our treasurer stole from our church. She has repented but hasn’t made restitution. She wants to teach. What does the Bible say about this?

Answer:

A part of repentance is attempting to repair the damage caused by your sins. Paul "kept declaring ... that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance" (Acts 26:20). Repentance is more than words declaring your intent. "For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter" (I Corinthians 7:11).

When she demonstrates that she has changed, she can teach the women's or children's classes (I Timothy 2:12).

How do I repent of stealing from my neighbors?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 01:37:22 +0000

Question:

Hello,

I have sinned for many years. I recently gave my life to Christ. I repented to the Lord of all my sins. I am devoting the rest of my existence to serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

One of my biggest sins was being a thief for many years. I stole mainly to survive, to afford food, bills, etc. I never held up anyone, but I took things from people who never noticed they were gone. I also stole from retail stores.

I came up with a plan to perhaps repay them back. Maybe not to come out and say to them I stole from them because I'd lose their trust or worse, end up in jail. Maybe not to come out and say here are your items or here is the money from the items I sold, etc. But maybe anonymously send them money for good relevant reasons (in their lives), and sometimes anonymously return their stuff without them noticing.

One big question was about this. I stole stuff from my neighbor, who is a multimillionaire, and sold the stuff for money to live. I now feel very guilty about it regardless. I was considering sending them a card this Easter with the money in it to put toward the restoration of a home that they had purchased.

They don't need the money, and they didn't miss what I took, so my question is: Should I still send them the money from the items I took and sold, or should I donate it to a charity or to a church?
One reason I was hesitant to donate it to a church or a charity is because I believe it might be considered "dirty money" and was obtained through wrongdoings. But in the same sense, it would be like taking gambling winnings and donating them to a church or charity, it would be through means of "wrongdoing", wouldn't it? Would you agree with that? Should I give the money back to someone who doesn't necessarily need the money? Or give it to a Christian charity or church?

I stole from another person years ago, and I did the same thing. He is also rich and doesn't really need the money, but I considered giving him some items that equaled the amount in items I also took from him. Would that be acceptable?

As for other items I stole from retail stores over the years. I no longer have most of them. Should I donate the money to a charity or donate it to a church? I have sat for several hours and pondered and came up with almost everything I've ever stolen over the years and come up with a dollar amount from each one I stole from, whether it be knives and forks I took from restaurants wrongfully or shopping carts from stores, or items from stores. I want to give back what I took, if possible, and the items I still have. I may be unable to return some items to certain people, so I thought about giving them money instead. Would that be sufficient? Or is any of it necessary since I repented? I want to right all of my wrongs.

Some of it I still have, and I plan on trying to give it all back. It may take me a very long time to do it since I am very poor(below the poverty level). I am self-employed, and I depend on the means of selling what I obtain honestly and before, sometimes dishonestly. I can't hold a steady job because I am either too slow or not good enough for anyone at anything I ever do. It caused me deep depression in the past and feeling worthless because I'm not good at anything, and it is likely the root of what caused me to steal and live the life I did.

I hope to hear back from you soon; I'm a day or two away from thinking about giving the millionaire an Easter card with the money inside. I would like to know what I should do.

Thanks.

Answer:

One of the things to consider when making restitution is that you don't want to appear to be profiting from what you stole. Whether a victim of your thefts is rich does not make any difference. His success in life does not justify you taking things from him. If you give the man money to restore a house, you are using his money to make yourself appear to be generous, which would not be proper.

Since you know what you took from each person, it would be better to tell the person. It would be difficult to do, and it might strain relationships or land you in jail, but it also has the greatest potential for healing problems you might not even be aware that you caused. However, if you can't bring yourself to do that, then mail a cashier's check to each person without a return address. Include a short unsigned note explaining that you became a Christian and regret the sins you committed in the past, which included stealing from the person. This way, the person knows why money was mysteriously mailed to him. I would suggest treating the stores in the same way. Use charities when you don't remember who you stole from so that at least someone else benefits from your change.

What happens when you steal from God?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 05 Sep 2022 22:48:23 +0000

Question:

What happens when you steal from God? I have stolen from the church but have asked for forgiveness from God. I don't have any source of income to return the money so what should I do now?

Answer:

What I noticed is that you did not tell the leadership at the church that you stole money from them. You caused harm and they should be made aware of the problem. If they choose to press charges, that will be their choice and you will have to live with the resulting consequence. There is a chance that they may work out a way for you to repay your debt.

By the way, if you have food, clothing, and shelter, then you have some source of income. Whether that income is adequate, is a different matter.

How do you repent of stealing when the victim has died?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 20:58:17 +0000

Question:

If a person stole money from their parent with the intention of paying it back, but the parent passed away before they could get the money back to them, plus their other parent has passed away, what do they need to do to make their life right? It happened years ago. No debt was left. The funeral was prepaid.

Answer:

Essentially, you could make the case that the money was stolen from the parents' heirs since excess funds are generally divided between the heirs.

I would suggest that the person take the amount of the stolen money and divide it between the parents' heirs. If he wants to avoid the embarrassment of bringing up a past issue, he can mail the money to each person anonymously.

Response:

Thank you. I'll pass it on.

Question:

I passed your answer to the above question to the person. They are on a very tight budget so they were going to pay it with their tax check. Unfortunately, they found out that due to being on SSI they will no longer be receiving one. What should they do to make their life right?

Thank you for your time.

Answer:

There are other ways to pay back, such as doing volunteer work. If not to the victims, then offer help to the community in some ways.

How do I repent for buying stolen items?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 20 May 2022 15:13:04 +0000

Question:

A few years ago, I bought stolen items from a friend's friend. It was a mystery box containing a few items from a convention. I don't know which convention. My friend's friend wanted to sell me the mystery box with the items for 10 dollars, which I agreed to. Right after I bought the items from my friend's friend, my friend told me the items in the box were stolen. It didn't seem to bug me at first and I badly wanted the items. Last year, I found out that buying stolen items was a crime, and I felt guilty about it. I asked God for forgiveness and said I would never buy stolen items again. Since last year, I've been stressed, anxious, and worried because I don't know if I will be left behind from the rapture after asking God for forgiveness and then keeping the items. Does God want me to make an effort to find the rightful owner of the items or give the items to someone in need? I don't know who it belongs to and I threw some of the items away or donated them to Goodwill. I've been going crazy making sure all the items are gone because God is coming back soon. I feel that I have run out of time. I feel like I wasted time and didn't know buying stolen items is a crime.

Please help me give me some feedback. Thanks.

Answer:

Buying stolen goods is helping the thief succeed in his crime, so therefore, it is just as wrong as the thievery itself. However, I don't know whether the items were actually stolen. Companies that attend conventions typically give away free items to advertise their business. People who attend such conferences often leave with a number of free items. All you have is your friend's statement that the items were stolen. I don't know if he told you the truth or not. It is just one person's claim.

But, if we must assume the items truly were stolen, then there should have been a police report regarding the thief. If there is no report then there is no way to trace back the original owners. The best you can do is give away what you received to a charity, which you mentioned that you have already done.

I took some vases without asking permission

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 22:53:51 +0000

Question:

I was out walking a few months ago in an area I don't normally live. One of the neighbors was selling their home and moving to a new home. They started to trash stuff and there were two beautiful vases that I admired so much. One day I took the vases thinking that they didn’t want them because I thought that they add completely left the resident. A couple of days later they came back and started to trash more stuff, but by then I had sent the vases home with my husband. I started to feel guilty. I told the person I was staying with that I was going to return them, but she said it was too late because they were going to think she stole them. Anyway, I let it go, but now that I have rededicated my life to the Lord it makes me still feel guilty; even though I know that I am forgiven, I still feel guilty. I don’t know where these people move to, so what can I do to release my guilt? Should I keep the items or trash them?

Answer:

Because you took the vases without permission, you stole them. It would be best to anonymously send money to the owners that cover the cost of the vases plus some extra. Since you don't know where they moved to, contribute it to a charity, such as one that cares for victims of crimes.