There is a moment when every person must reckon with the reality of what they owe. It is an unavoidable truth—financially, morally, and spiritually. Some debts are measured in dollars and cents, others in promises unfulfilled, and still more in the unseen realm of what we withhold from God Himself.
In all cases, the weight of what we owe is a measure of our integrity. And when we take what does not belong to us, whether from a fellow man or from the hand of God, we are guilty of theft.
Stealing is not simply a criminal act committed in the dark corners of society. It is a deception that finds its way into the hearts of many in subtle and respectable forms. It is the employer who withholds a fair wage, the borrower who neglects his obligation, the man who keeps in his pocket what belongs to another.
And in the most sobering reality, it is the believer who withholds from God what He is rightly due. The commandment is clear: “You shall not steal.” Yet the ways in which men violate this command are as numerous as the justifications they create to excuse them.
The Many Faces of Theft
Theft is often thought of in simplistic terms—breaking into a home, taking money from a cash register, lifting merchandise from a store shelf. But its reach extends far beyond these obvious transgressions. Consider the laborer who is underpaid, his employer withholding the wages that are rightfully his. Is this not theft? Or the individual who secures a loan with clear terms, agreeing to repay, yet when the due date arrives, the installment is ignored. The money remains in his pocket, but it does not belong to him. This too is theft.
Consider the bills that sustain modern life—electricity, water, gas, rent. A contract is made: service is rendered, and payment is expected. Yet, when the bill arrives, the payment is delayed, stretched, ignored. The service has been consumed, but the money remains in the consumer’s possession. Here again, the act is clear—keeping what belongs to another.
Thousands of businesses collapse under this weight. Not because they lack customers, but because those who owe them do not pay. The system crumbles under the failure of men to meet their obligations. And how tragic if one among those guilty of withholding payment is a Christian! The world may default, but those who bear the name of Christ must not be found among them. For to steal is to defy not only the laws of men but the command of God Himself.
Robbing God: A Sin More Easily Committed
If the theft of wages and debt is grievous, how much more grievous is the theft from God? Yet, it is a sin as easily committed as any other. How much does the average believer give to the work of the Lord? The answer is sobering. A mere fraction—2% of their income. And yet, Scripture speaks with piercing clarity:
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:8-10)
The Old Testament principle was simple: a tenth belonged to God. It was not a tax but a recognition. A statement that all belonged to Him, and from that, a portion was consecrated for His work. It was the pattern set by Abraham before the law was given, a truth woven into the fabric of godly living.
Yet in the New Testament, there is no rigid law set upon the church. Instead, the pattern shifts from legal obligation to joyful generosity. Paul instructs the Corinthians:
“On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Giving is no longer bound by a percentage, but by the condition of the heart. Has God prospered you? Then give as He has prospered you. Some will give much; others will give little. But all must give. And those who sow sparingly will reap sparingly, while those who sow bountifully will reap in kind. “God loves a cheerful giver,” Paul reminds us. Not a reluctant one. Not one who gives out of compulsion. But one whose heart is stirred, who sees the work of God and longs to support it.
Beyond Money: The Offering of Time and Gifts
But is money all that is required? No, the offering extends beyond silver and gold. Time is a currency, and it too belongs to God. How many hours are consumed in the trivial? The distractions of entertainment, the endless pursuits of leisure, the fleeting engagements that fill the days. And how many hours are spent in worship, in study, in the work of the kingdom?
Some are rich in time, but poor in its use. Others are wealthy in ability, yet hoard their gifts. There are those with the power to encourage, to teach, to lead, to serve. Yet, their talents lie dormant, unused for the good of the church. Hospitality is a gift, but how many homes remain closed? Leadership is a gift, yet how many refuse to step forward? The call is not merely to give, but to give all. To surrender what we have for the greater cause of Christ.
A Reckoning with Our Debts
The weight of what we owe is not measured solely in numbers. It is measured in integrity, in faithfulness, in obedience. What have we withheld? From our fellow man? From the church? From God Himself?
Stealing is easy. But righteousness is a higher call. It demands that we not only avoid taking what is not ours, but that we freely give what we rightfully possess. Christ gave all for sinners. He loved, and He gave. And in response, we give—not out of compulsion, but out of love.
The charge is clear: Settle what you owe. To man. To God. And do so with a heart that rejoices in the privilege of giving. For in doing so, you will find that God is no man’s debtor. “He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” And those who give will find that they lack nothing, for the One who owns all things gives freely to those whose hands are open.
I’m really excited about this series on the Ten Commandments, and as I’ve been preparing, I devoured a book that completely changed my perspective: Kevin DeYoung’s “The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them.”
Seriously, if you’re a Christian and you haven’t read this book, you’re missing out. It’s not just another dry commentary; DeYoung has this incredible gift for making complex theological ideas crystal clear and then applying them to your everyday life in a way that just clicks.
He tackles the tough questions about the relevance of the Old Testament law for us today and shows how these ancient commands are actually the key to a richer, more fulfilling life in Christ. I was so blown away by it that I wrote a full review, and I’d love for you to check it out here. It might just change the way you see the Ten Commandments forever.
Enjoying this content? If you’d like to support my work and help me create more Bible-centered resources, consider buying me a coffee! Your support means the world and helps keep this ministry going.
