The Seventh Commandment

“You shall not steal.”

This commandment is about helping our neighbor improve and protect what belongs to them.

In other words, it’s not only about taking things outright. It’s about honesty, integrity, and faithfulness in all areas of life.

That touches more of our lives than we might want to admit.

• Cutting corners at work.
• Being careless with responsibilities.
• Wasting what has been entrusted to us.
• Taking advantage of people for personal gain.

Sometimes stealing happens in a way that is hidden.

A person may never commit a crime and still break this commandment regularly through greed, dishonesty, or selfishness.

Because at its heart, this commandment asks a deeper question:

Do I love my neighbor enough to deal honestly with them?

Also, do I trust God to provide all that I need?

God gives people possessions, resources, abilities, and opportunities. And He calls us not only to respect those gifts, but also to use our own gifts in ways that serve others rather than exploit them.

That reveals the positive aspect of this commandment. We are to seek to help our neighbor protect their belongings. I not only want to avoid taking advantage of my neighbor, I want to see them thrive.

That changes how we think about work, money, and success.

The goal of life is not simply getting more for ourselves.

It is faithfulness.

Jesus says,

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”

Integrity matters even when nobody notices. God cares about honesty in small things as much as large ones.

And if we are honest, this commandment reveals that selfishness runs deeper in us than we realize. We often look for what benefits us first.

But then we look to Christ. Jesus did not take from others. He gave Himself for others. Though He possessed all things, He became poor for our sake. He gave His time, His strength, His compassion…His very life.

And through His death and resurrection, He gives forgiveness freely—even for greedy hearts and dishonest lives.

Then He begins shaping us into people who reflect His generosity.

• People who can be trusted.
• People who use what they have wisely.
• People who seek the good of their neighbor.

Not perfectly. But faithfully.

Let’s pray…

Lord God,

Forgive me for the ways I have acted selfishly or dishonestly. Teach me to live with integrity and faithfulness in all I do. Help me to use what You have given me in ways that serve and bless others. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.