The 10 Commandments in the New Testament: Part 8

[Steve Myers] Where do you find the Eighth Commandment in the New Testament? We know we’re not supposed to steal, but we find something interesting that’s mentioned in Ephesians 4:28. Notice how the commandment is reflected here as Paul writes to the church in Ephesus. He says, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” So more than just “Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you”, we find that God recognizes the fact that we don’t own anything in reality, because God owns it all. God alone is Creator. He is alone the giver of all things.

And so the sense of not only stealing, but why do we work? Why do we do what we do? Well, He says the opposite of stealing is earning our keep. And it’s more than just about us. He says there’s a sense in that command, “Thou shalt not steal”, that we do have to provide for others.

And so in Ephesians, He makes that very clear that labor and work, not just to feed yourself and your own family, but also that you could have something to give to him who has need. Of course, that takes that spiritual intent of that command to the next level that we all are striving for.

So we certainly are encouraged by the apostle Paul to do that very thing. Certainly, do not steal, but have some reason behind why you work – certainly to help your family, to take care of your own, but also to provide for others’ needs.

That’s BT Daily. We’ll see you next time.