Before our discussion (I know this is not really a discussion) on the Eighth Commandment, I want to add a thought I meant to include last time, but didn’t. What is our response to breaking a commandment? Step one is always repentance. Like everything else under the sun, there is fake and there is real. Fake or imitation repentance is to be sorry your sin has been exposed. The difference is described here … 2 Corinthians 7:10 For the grief that God wills brings a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret. But the world’s grief brings death. You can be sorry for eternity and still go to hell. A changed life that leads to salvation is life everlasting.

And don’t get discouraged. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Most of us change gradually over time. One of God’s chief character traits is His patience. These words are found in many places (over and over). Do you think there is a reason? Psalm 103:8 Adonai is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and plentiful in mercy (grace). A new commandment I give you … “Don’t be discouraged.” God loves you.

The Eighth Commandment – Do not steal.

Lo Tig’nov Exodus 20:15 “Do not steal.”

God is letting us know that He wants us to have a clear understanding of what belongs to us and what belongs to someone else. Have you noticed the world is becoming sicker by the day? A major part of that sickness is a lack of respect for the property of others.

Private property is under assault in America. Commune-ism sees everything as a form of “public utility.” Their social justice is for us all to sink to the lowest common level. They see a utopian society as one that takes from the rich and gives to the poor. It is a gross violation of the Eighth Commandment.

This part of the message is for those who work for a living. When we work for others, we owe them our best effort. Anything less is stealing. As followers of Yeshua, we should seek to have an excellent testimony before others. Remember, your actions speak so loudly, people can’t hear what you’re saying.

Rabbi Trail: Years ago I had a new boss, but I liked the old one who left the company. The new boss wasn’t bad, but my attitude was. She straightened me out with a few words I’ve never forgotten. “If you can get a better job, go get it. Until then, do this one with excellence.” That was all it took. I worked gladly for her for 6 years. End RT.

My estimate (based on 50 years of work experience) is that most workers establish a thiefdom at work. They take an extra 5 minutes of coffee break, take home a writing tablet, punch in before fixing their makeup, or just “borrow” some paper clips from the office supply. People tend to justify their theft by thinking, “I’m not getting paid enough, so I’ll make it up in other ways.” We should see this for what it is, “stinking thinking.”

Just as we started, know what is yours is yours and that what belongs to someone else is not yours. If you act as if it is yours, that’s stealing. Hear the voice of the Lord, Who spoke these words at Sinai, “No stealing!”