“You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.” – Leviticus 19:11 (BSB)
“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one in need.” – Ephesians 4:28 (BSB)
“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.” – Proverbs 11:1 (BSB)
“Do not extort money or accuse others falsely,” said John. “Be content with your wages.” – Luke 3:14 (BSB)
This commandment condemns not only theft by force but also deceit, fraud, embezzlement, withholding wages, exploiting the poor, and any unjust gain. Bishop Mwita Akiri (GAFCON, Anglican Church of Tanzania) teaches, “The Eighth Commandment calls us to build economic justice on the foundation of righteousness. To steal from the weak is to invite the judgment of God.” (GAFCON Pastoral Letter on Ethics, 2021)
It also has a positive call: to live lives of honesty, generosity, and contentment. Fr. Matthew Munn (ACNA, Anglican Church of the Redeemer, NC) writes, “God gives so that we may give. The redeemed heart does not ask how much it can keep, but how much it can share.” (Sermons on the Commandments, 2020) This command reshapes our attitude toward money, work, and giving.
The Anglican tradition emphasizes stewardship, teaching that what we possess is not ultimately ours but God’s. Canon Phil Ashey (ACNA, American Anglican Council) affirms, “To obey the Eighth Commandment is to live gratefully. It rejects entitlement and calls us to honor both private property and kingdom generosity.” (Anglican Ethics and Mission, 2019)
Bishop Henrique Dill (Anglican Union, Diocese of the West) reminds us, “This commandment forms a heart of integrity. In a culture built on consumption and competition, God calls His people to faithfulness, simplicity, and the freedom of honest labor.” (Address on the Commandments and the Gospel, 2023)
“The hand that steals is a hand raised against the brother. Let it instead become a servant of mercy.” – Basil the Great, Homily on Social Justice, c. 370 AD
“You shall not steal—this means neither from rich nor poor, neither in secret nor by force. God sees the heart and judges justly.” – Cyprian of Carthage, On the Unity of the Church, c. 250 AD
“The one who gives freely keeps the command. The one who hoards and defrauds breaks it in spirit, though he steal not by name.” – Augustine of Hippo, Sermon on the Mount, c. 395 AD
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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