THE TEN – Ninth Commandment

“Do not steal” Exodus 20, NLT

This is another one of those commandments that the everyday person thinks, “Well, I’m covered. I don’t steal cars, take from stores, or hold up liquor stores..so I’m good.” Mm. What about taking supplies from the office, or extra condiments from the restaurant, or everything and more from the hotel your staying in has to offer? As I write this, we are staying in a lovely hotel. 

When I worked in retail a couple of years ago, I learned a very important statistic. Did you know that there is more employee stealing in retail than we would like to know? “Loss prevention” employees are hired to watch over not only the customers who may steal, but from the employees! There is a cost for “the watch” and that cost is passed on the us, we consumers AND to the wages of the employees! So that t-shirt you’re buying costs more because of the “cost for loss” figured into the price.

Yes, sometimes it’s the “little sins” that trip us up. And by the way, there are no little sins…a sin is a sin in God’s eyes. If the Holy Spirit bothers you with it, then take care of it. Sin is sin. There are no “levels” of sin. Guard your integrity. (Integrity = Doing what’s right even when no one is looking!)

“Keep your heart pure, says Paul to young Timothy. This is one of those “keep your heart pure, full of integrity” kind of commandments. “Do not steal.” In any way, shape or form.

Dear Heavenly Father, Convict our hearts of all sin. Help us, by the power of Your Holy Spirit within us, to know immediately the right thing to do. May the world know You more by the way we behave because of our love for You.
In Jesus Name, Amen