What does the Bible teach about thievery?

When many people think about thieves they envision pickpockets, muggers, carjackers, and so on.  However, the notion of stealing crosses many demographic lines and does not remain limited to just people from a poor economic background.  Take for example, all of the big investment schemes being peddled by slick looking affluent business professional types who dupe people, from all income brackets, out of their lifetime savings and retirement investments.  On a smaller scale, how many young people – regardless of their income level – have tried to shoplift electronics or clothing out of stores, or download pirated movies or music?

The Word of God makes it clear that stealing is wrong.  The Ten Commandments specifically lists not stealing as one of the commandments.  Likewise, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul included people who engage in thievery among the many who will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“You shall not steal.”  (Deuteronomy 5:19 NIV)   

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (I Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV, Italics added for emphasis)

Does this mean that every business person out there could be considered a thief, just because of their shady business practices?  What about not recording your income taxes correctly or profits from a business?  Overall, there are so many ways that people can get duped or trick others out of their money or resources, with many of them being legal…while still bordering on the edge of corruptness.

In a lesser sense, what about every student that cheats on a college entrance exam or school test in general?  Then you have churches that sometimes use worship songs without following the proper copyright procedures.  And of course, you always have the offering plate issue in churches, where some religious leaders get accused of fleecing the flock of their finances.

    

Overall, Scripture commands individuals to refrain from stealing whatever rightfully belongs to another.  The definition of stealing can obviously fall within broad parameters, as there are different ways of defining thievery within the eyes of the law in regard to personal property, intellectual proprietary rights, and like manner.  As believers mature, they will understand the importance of showing respect to others by not stealing what rightfully belongs to them.