"God's Top 10 List:  You Shall Not Steal"

Exodus 20:15

I. Sovereignty—The True Owner

Psalm 24:1-21 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,    the world, and all who live in it;2 for he founded it upon the seas    and established it upon the waters.

II. Stewardship—The Temporary Owner

1. The Lawful Obtainingof Property

A. God gives us all (Acts 17:28)

Acts 17:28 (NKJV) 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

B. God gives us everything through work (Acts 20:34) (NKJV) 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

gifts/inheritance Acts 20:35 (NKJV) 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must

support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' “

or discovery (Matt. 17:24-27)Matthew 17:27 (NKJV) 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook,

and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."

2. The Legal Ownershipof Property

Acts 5:3-43 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

3. The Loyal Management of Property

A. We're not the permanent owners but really temporary managers of God's property

1 Timothy 6:7 (NKJV) 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

B. God will judge us concerning how we use our property (Matt. 25:31-46)

III. Stealing—The Thieving Owner

• Let us consider the parable of the Talents Mathew 25:41

• Don’t Envy anyone else their burden.Galatians 5:20-21 (NKJV) 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ways to violate the 7th Commandment

1. Stealing at WorkColossians 3:23“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…”

Ways to violate the 7th Commandment

2. Stealing in Business Proverbs 11:1“The LORD abhors dishonest scales,    but accurate weights are his delight.”

Ways to violate the 7th Commandment

3. Stealing from CreditorsRomans 13:8“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

Ways to violate the 7th Commandment

4. Stealing in the HomeProverbs 19:26“He who robs his father and drives out his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.”

Ways to violate the 7th Commandment

5. Stealing in ReligionMalachi 3:8“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’In tithes and offerings.”

Ways to violate the 7th Commandment

6. Stealing in Entertainment