Stealing

March 15

Steal
kleptō
A third remnant of the old man that can easily creep back into the Christian’s life is stealing, as in Eph_2:28, “Let him that stole steal no more.” The Greek behind both the words stole and steal is kleptō (G2813;

English, kleptomania) and “emphasizes the secrecy, craft, and cheating involved in the act of stealing” (in contrast, lēstēs “includes the element of violence”). In other words, it’s not armed robbery, but rather burglary.

This seems an odd admonition; would a Christian secretly steal? Paul’s admonition must be viewed in light of the society of that day. Theft was rampant, especially on the docks and above all in the public baths.

William Barclay points out, “Public baths were the clubs of the time; and stealing the belongings of the bathers was one of the commonest crimes in any Greek city.” Slaves also pilfered from their masters, and even citizens practiced petty theft because it was not wholly condemned by popular opinion.

Paul feared, then, that Christians would fall back into this common practice. We can be guilty of this by pilfering from an employer, reporting more hours than were actually worked, “hiding” during working hours to avoid work, not paying a debt that is owed, an employer not paying employees fair wages, a false insurance claim, overestimating when bidding on the cost of a certain job, jacking up the price of a repair or service because the insurance company will pay for it, and keeping what a sales clerk overpays in change. All of that is stealing!

Far worse, however, is that we can steal from God. We can do that in two ways. One is by not giving as we should. While the OT practice was tithing, which was solely for the operation of Israel’s government, the NT standard is: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1Co_16:2). We should give according to grace (see November 27).

Another way we can steal from God is with our time. As Eph_5:15-17 declares, one of the characteristics of true wisdom is “redeeming the time,” that is, using time wisely and advantageously. We are to use our time to glorify God. We should be faithful in our attendance to the local church, in our daily witness for Christ, and in our ministry to others.

Scriptures for Study: Review the Ten Commandments (Exo_20:1-17) and note where lying, anger, and stealing fall. What’s the blessing of laying up “treasures in heaven” (Mat_6:19-20)?

by  -

Back to Top

###