The act of stealing is addressed multiple times throughout the Bible, highlighting the moral and ethical implications associated with taking what does not belong to us. These verses remind us of the importance of honesty, integrity, and respect for the possessions of others. Stealing not only harms individuals but also undermines trust and disrupts communities.
These verses challenge us to reflect on our actions and to seek reconciliation with those we may have wronged.
As you explore these Bible verses about stealing, may they inspire you to live a life characterized by honesty and generosity. Let these scriptures encourage you to honor others, promote justice, and embrace a spirit of giving that aligns with God’s purpose for your life.
Bible Verses About Stealing
Exodus 20:15 – Understanding the Concept of Stealing in the Bible
“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15
More Related Verses:
“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 22:1
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” – Proverbs 6:23
“A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” – John 10:10
Also read: 31 Bible Verses For Anxiety And Fear (with Related Verses)
Proverbs 21:7 – The Eighth Commandment: “You Shall Not Steal”
“The violence of the wicked will draw them away, because they refuse to do justice.” – Proverbs 21:7
More Related Verses:
“Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.” – Proverbs 15:27
“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.” – Ephesians 4:28
“The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.” – Proverbs 21:10
Matthew 19:18 – Jesus’ Teachings on Theft and Integrity
“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.'” – Matthew 19:18
More Related Verses:
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well.” – Matthew 5:40
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire.” – Matthew 5:22
Proverbs 6:30-31 – Consequences of Stealing in the Old Testament
“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 6:30-31
More Related Verses:
“In stealing a little, one cannot escape punishment.” – Proverbs 21:5
“He who steals from his father or mother and says, ‘It is no transgression,’ is a companion to a man who destroys.” – Proverbs 28:24
“The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.” – Proverbs 12:7
Luke 19:8 – Examples of Stealing in the Bible: Case Studies
“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.'” – Luke 19:8
More Related Verses:
“And he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Luke 16:31
“Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” – Ephesians 4:25
“For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” – 1 Peter 3:17
Proverbs 10:2 – Theft as a Moral Issue: Insights from Proverbs
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 10:2
More Related Verses:
“The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked.” – Proverbs 10:3
“The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the expectation of the wicked in wrath.” – Proverbs 11:23
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” – Proverbs 14:12
Luke 12:15 – Restoration and Repentance After Theft
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” – Luke 12:15
More Related Verses:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.” – 1 Timothy 6:7
“And let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands.” – Ephesians 4:28
“Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!” – Matthew 3:2
Mark 12:31 – The Importance of Honesty in the Christian Life
“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31
More Related Verses:
“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.” – Leviticus 19:11
“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” – Proverbs 10:9
“Be honest in your judgment.” – Leviticus 19:15
Philippians 4:11 – The Role of Contentment in Preventing Theft
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” – Philippians 4:11
More Related Verses:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
“But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” – 1 Timothy 6:8
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
1 Timothy 6:10 – Stealing and Greed: A Biblical Perspective
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
More Related Verses:
“You cannot serve God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” – Proverbs 14:12
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7
Proverbs 30:8-9 – Theft in Society: Biblical Solutions
“Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” – Proverbs 30:8-9
More Related Verses:
“The government is God’s servant for your good.” – Romans 13:4
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” – Proverbs 25:21
“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8
Philippians 4:19 – God’s Provision and the Need to Avoid Stealing
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
More Related Verses:
“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalm 34:10
“God will supply all your needs according to His riches.” – Philippians 4:19
“But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Zechariah 5:3 – Truthfulness vs. Dishonesty: A Biblical Contrast
“Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, ‘Lift your eyes and see what this is that goes out.'” – Zechariah 5:3
More Related Verses:
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.” – Proverbs 6:16-17
“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” – Proverbs 14:5
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” – Proverbs 11:3
Isaiah 61:8 – God’s Judgment on Thieves in Scripture
“For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing; in my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.” – Isaiah 61:8
More Related Verses:
“If anyone steals from a neighbor, he must repay in full, even if it means selling everything he owns.” – Leviticus 6:4
“Surely I am coming soon.” – Revelation 22:20
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.'” – Luke 19:9
Exodus 22:3 – Theft and Its Impact on Community Relationships
“If the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him.” – Exodus 22:3
More Related Verses:
“A whisperer separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
“Bad company ruins good morals.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 28:24 – Understanding Property Rights from a Biblical Viewpoint
“Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, ‘That is no transgression,’ is a companion to a man who destroys.” – Proverbs 28:24
More Related Verses:
“You shall not move your neighbor’s landmark.” – Deuteronomy 19:14
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” – Exodus 20:17
“All who hate me love death.” – Proverbs 8:36
1 Thessalonians 4:6 – The Heart of a Thief: Analyzing Motivations
“That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:6
More Related Verses:
“He who has a puffed-up neck and a lifted-up spirit will be surprised by the fallout.” – Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” – Proverbs 11:25
Luke 23:41 – Biblical Stories of Theft and Redemption
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.” – Luke 23:41
More Related Verses:
“And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'” – Luke 23:43
“But when he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” – John 16:8
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
2 Corinthians 9:7 – How to Cultivate a Heart of Generosity
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
More Related Verses:
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – Hebrews 13:16
Proverbs 19:17 – Teaching Children About Stealing and Integrity
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” – Proverbs 19:17
More Related Verses:
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.” – Proverbs 22:15
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” – Psalm 127:3
Colossians 3:23 – Stealing Time: A Modern Perspective
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:23
More Related Verses:
“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” – Colossians 3:17
“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” – Romans 14:12
Acts 5:4 – Dealing with Theft in the Church Community
“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.” – Acts 5:4
More Related Verses:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” – Matthew 18:15
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” – 1 Corinthians 3:16
Proverbs 10:2 – The Connection Between Trust and Theft
“Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 10:2
More Related Verses:
“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” – Proverbs 10:9
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” – Proverbs 11:25
“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 28:20
Isaiah 33:15 – Personal Testimonies of Overcoming Theft
“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil.” – Isaiah 33:15
More Related Verses:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” – Psalm 1:1
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
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Final Thoughts
Stealing, as outlined in the Scriptures, is more than just a breach of law; it reflects a deeper moral failing. The biblical teachings remind us that theft is not only an act against another person but also against God and the community.
It is essential to recognize that God’s grace extends to all, including those who have stolen. Repentance and restoration are vital themes in the biblical narrative, providing hope and a pathway toward reconciliation for every individual, no matter their past actions. Let us strive to embody these teachings in our daily lives, ensuring that we both reflect and share the love that binds us together as a community of faith.