Christian Living

Coveting and Stealing

Introduction:
When God speaks, His people are expected to listen. On Mount Sinai, He gave the Ten Commandments to Israel, including two that speak to the heart and the hand: “You shall not steal” and “You shall not covet.” These commandments deal not only with outward acts but also inward desires. God revealed that the integrity of one’s character and the respect for another’s property go hand in hand. This sermon explores both of these commands—the act of stealing and the attitude of coveting—and shows how God views them both as serious violations of His will. We will examine Old Testament penalties, examples, and their continued application in the New Testament.

The Seriousness of Stealing
Exodus 20:15 says, “You shall not steal.” This command protected the sanctity of personal property. The Hebrew term used indicates secret or deceptive theft, like burglary or cheating. Genesis 31:19 shows Rachel stealing her father Laban’s idols while he was away—an example of this hidden kind of theft.

God imposed severe penalties under the Law of Moses. If the stolen property was returned unharmed, the thief had to repay double (Exodus 22:4, 7, 9). If the property was damaged or sold, the thief owed four or five times the value (Exodus 22:1). Even if food was stolen out of hunger, the penalty could be sevenfold (Proverbs 6:30–31). Stealing a person, such as kidnapping, carried the death penalty (Exodus 21:16). If the thief had no means to repay, he was sold into servitude (Exodus 22:3). All these laws show the seriousness with which God viewed theft and His demand for restitution.

This concern extended to neglectful caretaking of others’ property. If someone’s animal grazed in a neighbor’s field or destroyed crops, they were responsible for the damages (Exodus 22:5–6). God expected fairness and accountability. Jesus confirmed this principle in Matthew 22:21, teaching that one must render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Payment of debts and respect for obligations are moral duties.

Stealing is repeatedly condemned in the New Testament. Jesus reaffirmed the commandment in Matthew 19:18. Paul listed theft as a sin that separates one from the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). While some in Corinth had once been thieves, they were washed, sanctified, and justified through obedience to the gospel.

The Dangers of Coveting
Exodus 20:17 commands, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house… wife… servant… ox… or anything that is your neighbor’s.” Coveting is an internal desire—wanting something that belongs to someone else. The word used in Exodus means to take delight in or strongly desire. Deuteronomy 5:21 and Jeremiah 6:13 use related terms for longing or greed. Coveting is a mindset that opposes contentment and godly love.

Examples throughout scripture illustrate the danger of covetousness. In Numbers 11, the Israelites craved the food of Egypt and complained about the manna God provided. Their intense craving stirred God's anger (Numbers 11:4–10). In Joshua 7, Achan confessed that he coveted and took a beautiful garment, silver, and gold from Jericho. Despite Moses’ warning in Deuteronomy 7:25, Achan yielded to desire, and the result was his death and judgment upon others.

The New Testament warns against coveting just as strongly. Ephesians 5:3, 5 teaches that covetousness is a form of idolatry and excludes one from the kingdom. Romans 7:7 shows how Paul recognized sin through the command, “You shall not covet.” In 1 Corinthians 10:6, Christians are told to learn from Israel’s example and avoid desiring evil things. Hebrews 13:5 exhorts believers to live without covetousness and to be content.

Jesus issued a strong warning in Luke 12:15: “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Coveting is not simply a private thought—it corrupts the heart, devalues others, and often leads to destructive actions, as seen in the lives of Achan and the Israelites.

Coveting and Stealing Go Hand in Hand
Coveting is often the root cause of stealing. One begins with the desire for what belongs to another, and if that desire is not restrained, it leads to sinful action. The tenth commandment addresses the heart, and the eighth commandment addresses the hands. Together, they show that God expects integrity both inwardly and outwardly.

Covetousness Can Be Forgiven
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 that some of the Corinthians had once been covetous, but they were washed, sanctified, and justified. The same is true today. Through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, a covetous heart can be cleansed. And for the Christian, confession and continued faithfulness ensure ongoing forgiveness through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7–9).

Coveting and Stealing Sermon Outline:

• I. The Seriousness of Stealing

  • Exodus 20:15; Genesis 31:19 – Definition and examples

  • Exodus 22:1–9 – Double, quadruple, or quintuple restitution

  • Proverbs 6:30–31 – Sevenfold penalty for food theft

  • Exodus 21:16 – Death penalty for kidnapping

  • Exodus 22:3 – Servitude when restitution is impossible

  • Matthew 22:21; Matthew 19:18; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 – New Testament teaching on stealing

• II. The Dangers of Coveting

  • Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Jeremiah 6:13 – Definitions of coveting

  • Numbers 11:4–10 – Israel's craving and ingratitude

  • Joshua 7:20–21; Deuteronomy 7:25 – Achan’s covetousness and downfall

  • Ephesians 5:3, 5; Romans 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 13:5 – New Testament teaching on covetousness

  • Luke 12:15 – Jesus' warning

• III. Coveting and Stealing Are Connected

  • Coveting often leads to stealing

  • God commands both pure actions and pure desires

• IV. Forgiveness Is Available

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 John 1:7–9 – Salvation and continued cleansing are possible

Call to Action:
Let each of us examine our hearts and hands. Are we content with what God has given, or are we longing for what belongs to others? Do we practice honesty and gratitude, or have we crossed lines in pursuit of material gain? If there is sin—whether in thought or deed—God offers forgiveness. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, or if you are a Christian in need of restoration, we urge you to come to Christ and be cleansed.

Key Takeaways:

• Stealing is a violation of God's law and requires restitution (Exodus 22:1–4)

• God’s laws show how seriously He views both theft and negligence (Proverbs 6:30–31)

• Coveting is an inward sin that reflects greed and discontent (Exodus 20:17; Jeremiah 6:13)

• Coveting often leads to other sins, including theft and idolatry (Joshua 7:21; Ephesians 5:5)

• Jesus warned against measuring life by possessions (Luke 12:15)

• Forgiveness is available through obedience to the gospel (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 1:7–9)

Scripture Reference List:

• Exodus 20:15, 17 – Commandments against stealing and coveting

• Genesis 31:19 – Rachel's secret theft

• Exodus 22:1–9 – Restitution laws

• Proverbs 6:30–31 – Penalty for food theft

• Exodus 21:16; 22:3–6, 10–14 – Additional laws on property and responsibility

• Matthew 19:18; 22:21 – Jesus' teaching on morality and taxes

• Numbers 11:4–10 – Example of craving in Israel

• Joshua 7:20–21 – Achan’s sin of coveting

• Deuteronomy 7:25 – Warning not to take silver or gold

• Jeremiah 6:13 – Greed and falsehood

• Ephesians 5:3, 5; Romans 7:7; Hebrews 13:5 – New Testament warnings

• Luke 12:15 – Jesus warns of covetousness

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 1 John 1:7–9 – Forgiveness through Christ

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO