Duties Toward Others
The Eighth Commandment
Thou Shalt Not Steal
Description
The eighth commandment protects property rights—the fruit of one's labor belongs to the laborer. Stealing encompasses not only outright theft but fraud, deception, failure to pay just wages, and unjust business practices. Positively, this commandment requires honest work, fair dealing, contentment with one's possessions, and generosity toward those in need. The thief must steal no more but labor honestly to have something to give to others.
Key Verses
Thou shalt not steal.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.