Taking what doesn’t belong to us goes against God’s commands and hurts relationships. The Bible teaches us about honesty and respect for others’ property. Today, we’ll reflect on verses that emphasize the importance of integrity and trustworthiness.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Creatures
Bible Verses About Theft
Exodus 20:15 – Theft is against God’s commandments
“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15
Leviticus 19:11 – Honesty should be our guide in all dealings
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” – Leviticus 19:11
Proverbs 10:2 – The consequences of theft are severe
“Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.” – Proverbs 10:2
Proverbs 21:6 – Deceitful gain leads to emptiness
“The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.” – Proverbs 21:6
Ephesians 4:28 – Turning away from theft brings a new life
“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” – Ephesians 4:28
Proverbs 22:22-23 – God defends the oppressed
“Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case.” – Proverbs 22:22-23
Jeremiah 7:9 – A heart of theft leads to spiritual corruption
“Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known?” – Jeremiah 7:9
Micah 6:10-11 – The Lord sees the injustice of theft
“Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house, and the short measure that is accursed?” – Micah 6:10-11
Luke 19:8 – True repentance reflects in our actions
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'” – Luke 19:8
1 Corinthians 6:10 – The unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom
“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.” – 1 Corinthians 6:10
Exodus 22:1 – Restitution is a principle upheld by God
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.” – Exodus 22:1
Matthew 6:19-20 – True riches cannot be stolen
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” – Matthew 6:19-20
Proverbs 12:11 – Diligence brings honest gain
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” – Proverbs 12:11
Colossians 3:2 – Treasure in heaven holds more value
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
1 Thessalonians 4:6 – The Lord is the avenger of wrongdoing
“And that in this matter, no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:6
Mark 10:19 – Following commandments reflects integrity
“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'” – Mark 10:19
Proverbs 28:24 – Disregarding the law leads to self-deception
“Whoever robs their father or mother and says, ‘It’s not wrong,’ is partner to one who destroys.” – Proverbs 28:24
Psalms 37:21 – The wicked borrow and do not repay
“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” – Psalms 37:21
Romans 13:9 – Love fulfills the law by not stealing
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Romans 13:9
James 5:4 – God hears the cries of the oppressed
“Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” – James 5:4
Proverbs 30:9 – Prayer against the temptation to steal
“Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” – Proverbs 30:9
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – Hard work prevents the need for theft
“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Hebrews 13:5 – Contentment keeps us from temptation
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” – Hebrews 13:5
John 10:10 – The thief comes to destroy
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
Proverbs 19:1 – Better to be poor than dishonest
“Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.” – Proverbs 19:1
1 Peter 4:15 – We should not suffer for wrongdoing
“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.” – 1 Peter 4:15
Psalm 62:10 – Trust in God rather than wealth
“Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” – Psalm 62:10
Proverbs 6:30-31 – Recognizing the seriousness of theft
“People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house.” – Proverbs 6:30-31
Acts 20:35 – The blessing of giving rather than taking
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” – Acts 20:35