B.A.S.I.C. Training

An unforgettable heist

One of the most basic understandings that Christians must have is that robbery and theft, however great or small, is a sin against God.

The Many Faces of TheftThe Many Faces of Theft

Exodus 20:15 Exodus 20:15 – You shall not steal.– You shall not steal.

The commandment is easy to read.The commandment is easy to read.It is much harder to apply.It is much harder to apply.There is always someone looking for a way There is always someone looking for a way

to get something for nothing.to get something for nothing.There is always someone looking for a There is always someone looking for a

“legal” way to steal.“legal” way to steal.

Taking something for nothing could land you in a lot of trouble…

•Single mom Jammie Thomas-Rasset found guilty of illegally downloading 24 songs – fined $2 million.

Leviticus 19:11, 13

You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another -- You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.

Not just theftBut also false dealing – underhandednessNor oppression, nor (KJV) -- Defrauding

The Lord’s Clear Will

Ephesians 4:28 -- He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Don’t stealWork hardShare with those in need

Proverbs 6:30-31 Men do not despise

a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;     But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold;         He must give all the substance of his house. •Men accept

what God rejects

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 -- Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will (E)inherit the kingdom of God.

Theft listed amongst the worst sins.

A Life Free Of Covetousness

Not all theft is “taking stuff”

Malachi 3:8 -- Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.

Covetousness and deceit can lead to theft

Exodus 20:17 -- You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Proverbs 11:1 --  A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.

James 4:1-3 -- What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Stealing, like every other sin, is a HEART problem

Matthew 15:19 -- For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders

For Christians there are no degrees to theft:Petty theftGrand theft

The bottom line: From brother Norman Gipson at Sunset, when asked about what constituted theft. His response:

Is it yours? No? Put it back!