Various scriptures in the Bible condemn stealing as a terrible sin in God’s eyes.
In the Old Testament, God’s chosen people were warned against stealing and even coveting other people’s items.
Jesus instructed his followers to have a heart of love and service, as opposed to one of greed and selfishness, in the New Testament.
Bible Verses About Stealing
The Bible has much to say about stealing; God included it in the Ten Commandments.
To discover more about this sin, read this collection of Bible scriptures regarding stealing. Here are a few scriptures from the Bible that talk about stealing:
Ephesians 4:28 (ESV) – Let The Thief No Longer Steal
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
Exodus 20:15 (ESV) – You Shall Not Steal
“You shall not steal.
Leviticus 19:11(ESV) – Do Not Deal Falsely
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.
Proverbs 10:2 (ESV) – No Profit in Stealing
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.
Exodus 22:7 (ESV) – Payment For Theft
“If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double.
Romans 13:9(ESV) – You Shall Not Steal
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Proverbs 12:22 (ESV) – Lying Is An Abomination
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
John 10:10 (ESV) – The Thief Cometh To Steal
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
1 Timothy 6:10(ESV) – The Love Of Money
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Mark 10:19 (ESV) – Do Not Defraud
You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”
Psalm 62:10 (ESV)
Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
Leviticus 6:2 (ESV)
“If anyone sins and commits a breach of faith against the Lord by deceiving his neighbor in a matter of deposit or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor
Luke 19:8 (ESV)
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.”
Matthew 19:18 (ESV)
He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,
1 Corinthians 6:10 (ESV)
Nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 13:7 (ESV)
Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Exodus 21:16 (ESV)
“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
Hosea 4:2 (ESV)
There is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Isaiah 61:8 (ESV)
For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Romans 2:21(ESV)
You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
Stealing From The Church
Stealing from a church is a grave violation because it offends not only God and His Church.
But also a group of people committed to following Jesus Christ’s teachings.
Here are a few bible verses that guide us against stealing from the church:
Acts 5:1-11 (ESV)
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? 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. …
Job 1:1-12 (ESV)
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
Stealing Punishments
The Bible provides a framework of moral standards and sanctions for wrongdoings, including stealing penalties.
The cost and use of the object are taken to determine the severity of the penalty. This is a brief compilation of bible verses that refer to stealing punishments:
Exodus 22:1 (ESV)
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
Exodus 21:16 (ESV)
“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
Proverbs 6:30-31 (ESV)
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
Exodus 22:3-4 (ESV)
But if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
Exodus 21:24 (ESV)
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Stealing and Lying
Throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, there are numerous references to the prohibitions against stealing and lying.
Being people of integrity means working hard to live an honest life and refrain from stealing from others. This is what it means to be a Christian.
This is a list of a few bible verses that point to stealing and lying in the scriptures :
Proverbs 12:19 (ESV)
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
Revelation 21:8 (ESV)
But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Colossians 3:9 (ESV)
Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
Curse For Stealing In The Bible
Stealing is a great sin, and the Bible strictly kicks against it, and there is also a curse for stealing in the Bible.
This sin is not treated lightly by God. We must turn aside, confess, follow the law, and put our faith in God to care for us.
This Bible verse enlightens us on the curse of stealing:
Exodus 22:1(ESV)
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
Exodus 21:16 (ESV)
“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
Proverbs 6:30-31 (ESV)
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry, but if he is caught, he will pay sevenfold; he will give all the goods of his house.
Proverbs About Stealing
Some Bible passages point to stealing, and the book of proverbs is no exception.
Here are a few proverbs in the Bible about stealing:
Proverbs 6:30-31 (NASB1995)
Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry; But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold; He must give all the substance of his house.
Proverbs 6:30-31 (NLT)
Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house.
Proverbs 6:30-31 (KJV)
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house.
Proverbs 6:30-31 (NCV)
People don’t hate a thief when he steals because he is hungry. But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, and it may cost him everything he owns.
Proverbs 6:30-31 (ASV)
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy himself when he is hungry: But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; He shall give all the substance of his house.
Conclusion
Stealing is wrong, and the offender no longer needs to steal. They must labor and put their hands to good use instead of stealing.
This also applies to our own life. Never should we commit sins with our hands, like stealing, and stealing in no way, shape, or form gives God any honor.
By putting in a lot of effort, we can earn enough money to support ourselves and have something to give to others in need.
