10 Stupid Things We Do10 Stupid Things We Do

Fail to Respect Property

Stealing is WrongStealing is WrongEveryone knows that stealing is

wrong.This rule from God goes to the

heart of:– The work ethic– Capitalism – right to buy and sell– The right to private ownership of

property– The stewardship of our

possessions

God Owns It AllGod Owns It All

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Exodus 19:5 - Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

God Owns It AllGod Owns It All

Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the LORD’S, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

Psalm 50:10 - For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.

God Owns It AllGod Owns It All

Haggai 2:8 - ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

God Owns It AllGod Owns It All

Remember: God holds the first mortgage.

It is not wrong to own property.

Just remember where it came from.

How do we violateHow do we violatethis command?this command?

Theft– 1 Peter 4:15 - But let none of

you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

How do we violateHow do we violatethis command?this command?

TheftExtortion

– Luke 3:14 - Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

How do we violateHow do we violatethis command?this command?

TheftExtortionCheat

– 1 Corinthians 6:10 - nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

How do we violateHow do we violatethis command?this command?

TheftExtortionCheatGambling

– 2 Corinthians 8:21 - providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

How do we violateHow do we violatethis command?this command?

Theft Extortion Cheat Gambling Employee theft Employer theft

– James 5:4a - Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out;

Does “size” count?Does “size” count?

Large or Small AmountTangible or IntangibleGood Guy or Bad GuySmall Business or Giant

CorporationForce or FraudLegal or Illegal

Who suffers?Who suffers?Victim

– Loss of property– Loss of trust– Lose sense of safety

Public – we pay with higher prices

Thief – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Who suffers?Who suffers? God

– Time– Mind– Body– Love

Malachi 3:8 - “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

How can it be prevented?How can it be prevented?

Jesus’ teaching– Luke 12:15 - And He said to them, “Take heed

and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

How can it be prevented?How can it be prevented?

Jesus’ teachingJesus’ example

– Matthew 8:20 - And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

How can it be prevented?How can it be prevented?

Jesus’ teachingJesus’ exampleStop blaming the victim

– They left the keys in the car.– She left her purse open.– Store charges too much anyway

What can the guilty do?What can the guilty do?

RepentRestitutionGo to work

– Ephesians 4:28 - Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Stupid Things We DoStupid Things We Do

It is stupid to think that we can steal the property of others

It is stupid to think that we can steal from God

It is stupid to think God is not aware of our thefts