“And you shall not steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19 ESV)

Implicit to this commandment is the right for people to own their own property, thus fueling a strong work ethic.  This commandment often times reveals the depravity of our hearts as we become discontent with what God has given us.  Discontentment leads to coveting, complaining, stealing and victimizing.  Every man should be content with the lot God has given him, but not lazily living there.  We should be industrious in all of our endeavors, knowing that Adam & Eve were given a work to do prior to the fall and we have the same mission today – though it is in a thorn laden creation that wars against us.  Stealing what does not belong to you is an attack on your neighbor and his rights and disrupts a healthy rhythm of society.  Stealing reveals that we are not content with what God has given us.