Levo
Bible verses for cheating and stealing
When it's easy to take what isn't yours
The lie
No one will notice, and they won't miss it.
The truth
Taking what isn't yours feels small and saves you something today. It costs you more: your peace, people's trust and your good name. God sees, and He provides. Jesus turned Zacchaeus from a taker into a giver, and He can do it in you.
More truth
- Small things are where honesty is learned.
- A mark you didn't earn isn't really yours.
- Paying it back is part of being free.
Pause
Stop before you take it or copy it. Breathe. Ask: would I do this if everyone could see?
My verses
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
You shall not steal.
You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
Food gained by fraud is sweet to a man, but later his mouth is full of gravel.
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.
Pray
Lord, I'm tempted to take what isn't mine. You see everything, and You give me what I need. Make me honest in small things and big things. Show me what I need to give back, and give me the courage to do it. Amen.
Your way out
- Put it back, or close the tab.
- Do the work yourself, even if the result is worse.
- Leave the situation where it's easy to take.
- Tell your trusted person what you were about to do.
- If you already took it, decide today how you'll give it back.
Small things count
Copying homework, taking things home from work, keeping extra change, padding your hours or expenses. Being faithful in little is where being faithful in much begins.
Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
Go deeper: Honest hands
Five days in the Bible on this, one passage a day.
- Give it back, and more Leviticus 6:1-7
- Zacchaeus gives it back Luke 19:1-10
- Gehazi thought no one saw 2 Kings 5:20-27
- From taking to giving Ephesians 4:22-28
- Just enough Proverbs 30:7-9