The Eighth Commandment

"You shall not steal."  Exodus 20:15

 

How does failure in the seventh commandment lead to a problem in the eighth Commandment?

 

In the last commandment, which dealt with unfaithfulness and infidelity in relationships, we saw that materialism began to establish itself in the heart of that person, so that self gratification and things that people could have or indulge themselves in became more important than other people and their needs and feelings.

So people start to take for themselves. They become takers instead of givers.

 

How does the New Testament expand the meaning this Commandment like it has  with all the other Commandments?

 

The apostle Paul wrote concerning the transformation of a thief.

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

 

This scripture shows that the total transformation is that a taker becomes a giver. And on the way to becoming a giver the thief also becomes an honest worker. this commandment then, is more than just about stealing, but about a change of heart that brings a person into the full understanding of their own, and other people's worth. That scripture actually covers three areas in our lives, which are: Material honesty, productivity, and generous giving.

 

Would you see tithing being related to this Commandment, because the Scripture says in 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.'

 

It is because we acknowledge God's ownership of everything that we tithe to Him. Many who disagree with tithing believe that tithing belongs under the law of Moses, and therefore has been done away with in the New Testament. That is not true. Tithing began before Moses was born, and was first performed by Abraham as a relational act of worship, when he called God 'The possessor of Heaven and earth' (Genesis 14:22).

 

Do Christians have to tithe today?

I do not believe that Christians are under the Law as regards tithing. I believe there needs to be a revelation of tithing as an act of relational worship towards a person, God, in fact Jesus, rather than a legalistic obligation. 

 

There is a Bible principle that giving generously causes people to give back to you. Luke 6:38 – For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more.

Yes it seems to speak for itself and many people can testify to the fact that it works. And it is not just about money-it works for anything that is given out of a giving heart.

This Scripture describes that faith principle that releases a miraculous increase of what is given out of a right heart, like you just said about the giving person.

 

Click here to see a chart showing the progression of the Commandments