Observations

• The commandment regarding stealing forbids taking anything that doesn’t belong to you.
• The first sin was stealing something off limits, and every sin after seeks to apprehend something forbidden.
• These former slaves had no need to steal since God had so abundantly provided.
• God’s generosity and your giftings are His way of taking care of you.
• Robbing another indicates a belief that your worth is superior and your need is greater.

Applications

• Beware how discontentment regarding finances and possessions can lead you to justify unwise decisions.
• If you get a job and work in a God-honoring way, you should have no reason to steal (cf. Eph. 4:28).
• Don’t rob God by neglecting to give financially to His purposes (cf. Mal. 3:8).
• Don’t rob your family by squandering finances that could bless them (cf. Prov. 13:22).
• Don’t rob your workplace by allowing distractions to waste their investment (cf. Prov. 18:9).
• Following Jesus should imply that we are free to be givers rather than enslaved to be takers.