Becoming
The Seventh Commandment affirms the legitimacy of private property while grounding all ownership in God’s ultimate authority. Theft and property abuses violate justice, dignity, and covenant responsibility. Christians are called not only to avoid stealing but to live with contentment, diligent work, and generous stewardship.
Deuteronomy 5:19
“You Shall Not Steal”
New Testament Confirmation
1 Corinthians 6:10 lists thieves, the greedy, and robbers among those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Theft is a mortal sin that leads to spiritual death if practiced without repentance.
The commandment is morally binding under both Old and New Covenants.
What Is Stealing?
The unauthorized and willful taking of what rightfully belongs to another.
Theft assumes the existence of property and private ownership.
Taking property against the will of its rightful owner is an usurpation of another’s good.
Understanding Property
Universal Destination of Goods
Genesis 1:26–29 teaches that God gave the earth to humanity to steward and enjoy.
All goods ultimately belong to God but are given for mankind’s use.
By human dignity alone, mankind has a right to enjoy the goods of the earth.
Historically, communal understandings of land reflected this principle.
However, the commandment also assumes distinctions in ownership.
Right to Private Property
Individuals have a fundamental right to property, beginning with their own bodies.
After the Fall (Genesis 3:17), toil, poverty, and violence entered the world.
Because of sin, property must be protected to ensure security.
Private property safeguards against theft and instability.
Property is tied to liberty and personal responsibility.
Proprietary Justice
Three forms of justice related to property:
1.Commutative Justice
Protecting property rights.
Paying debts.
Honoring contracts.
Foundation of all property justice.
2.Legal Justice
Giving the community what is owed (e.g., taxes).
“Render unto Caesar…”
Supports social infrastructure.
3.Distributive Justice
What the community owes its citizens.
Example: just wages.
Minimum wage laws reflect concern for human dignity.
Property Abuses
Examples of violations of the Seventh Commandment:
Slavery — treating persons as commodities; intrinsically evil.
Business fraud — dishonest commercial practices.
Unjust wages — underpaying workers.
Failure to repay debts.
Forgery, identity theft, price gouging, tax evasion.
Usury and wasteful excess.
Destruction of public or private property.
Christian Use of Property
1.Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6–10)
We bring nothing into the world and take nothing out.
Basic necessities should satisfy us.
Love of money leads to idolatry.
Wealth is not evil, but it is spiritually dangerous.
Riches can give temporary pleasure, not eternal satisfaction.
2. Responsibility (2 Thessalonians 3:10–12)
“If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Christians are called to work and provide.
Idleness is condemned.
Providing for one’s household is part of adult responsibility.
Work reflects stewardship.
3. Generosity (Luke 6:30; Acts 2:44–46)
Christians are called to liberality.
All good gifts come from God.
We are blessed to be a blessing.
The church models shared generosity.
Tight-fistedness can become idolatry.
