Supplemental Information #8: “Stealing and how it relates to usury, the lottery, and gambling.” #

This is a fairly simple and straightforward commandment. In accordance with “Loving God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength,” and “loving our neighbor as ourselves,” it makes sense that we would not want to take their possessions. On the contrary, we would want to help them keep what they have and even help them to protect and increase what they have. This is part of our love for our neighbor and God.

Things can get a bit more complicated, however, when we begin to define, getting our neighbor’s things, “in any dishonest way.” This includes not only robbery and theft, but also usury (overcharging, excess interest, etc.) and fraud (false advertising, etc.).

This brings into question things like the lottery and gambling. Even though it is not “stealing,” it does have the effect that someone is gaining money and wealth at the expense of his/her neighbor. These are difficult issues, and although we cannot say for certain that controlled lottery buying and gambling are “sins” (for they are not mentioned specifically in Scripture), it is certainly going against the spirit and meaning of this commandment. The fact is that we are not looking out for our neighbor’s best (financial) interests like we should. The lottery and gambling are also not being good steward of what God has given you, especially when you look at the odds of winning (cf. II Thess 3:10 below). This does not necessarily mean that you can’t play a “friendly” (low stakes) game of Black Jack or Poker with some friends or that raffles and the like are breaking this commandment. “Friendly” games and raffles are situations where fellowship (games) and the benefit of others (raffles) are usually what is important. However, when these things begin to form an addictive pattern, and/or they begin to cause your neighbor to “stumble,” then the line has clearly been crossed.

Leviticus 19:35 #

Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity.

Psalm 37:12 #

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

Prov. 19:5 #

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free.

Matt. 5:42 #

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matt. 18:15 #

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Eph. 4:25 #

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Eph. 4:28 #

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Phil. 2:4 #

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

II Thes. 3:10b #

If a man will not work, he shall not eat.

Heb. 13:16 #

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

James 4:11 #

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

I John 3:17 #

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?