The Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Steal

The Seventh Commandment—“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15)—may appear at first glance to be one of the most straightforward of God’s laws. But a deeper look shows that it goes far beyond simply not taking what belongs to others. It is a commandment that touches upon justice, honesty, respect, and the right use of material goods. Ultimately, it is about fostering a spirit of integrity and generosity in all areas of life.

1. The Meaning of the Commandment

At its core, the Seventh Commandment forbids unjustly taking or keeping what belongs to another person. This includes not only theft in the obvious sense—like stealing money or possessions—but also more subtle forms of dishonesty such as:

• Cheating in business or studies,

• Withholding wages,

• Exploiting the poor or vulnerable,

• Misuse of public property,

• Corruption and fraud.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: “The Seventh Commandment forbids theft, that is, usurping another’s property against the reasonable will of the owner” (CCC 2401).

2. Beyond Theft: The Call to Justice

The commandment also has a positive dimension. God is not only asking us to avoid stealing but also to actively respect the goods of others and to ensure that our own possessions and resources are used responsibly. This means:

• Paying fair wages,

• Practicing honesty in our dealings,

• Being good stewards of creation,

• Avoiding waste and greed.

In short, it is a call to justice—to treat others fairly and to uphold the dignity of every human person.

3. From Selfishness to Generosity

St. Paul captures the spirit of this commandment beautifully when he writes:
“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28).

Here we see the transformation: from taking to giving. The Seventh Commandment is not only about avoiding wrongdoing but about cultivating generosity and solidarity. Our possessions are not meant to be hoarded; they are entrusted to us to be shared for the common good.

4. The Example of Zacchaeus

The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10 provides a powerful illustration. A dishonest tax collector, Zacchaeus encounters Jesus and is so transformed that he declares:
“If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold, and I give half of my goods to the poor.”

True conversion leads not just to avoiding theft but to making restitution and embracing generosity. Zacchaeus becomes a living witness of the Seventh Commandment lived out fully.

5. Broader Applications Today

In today’s world, the Seventh Commandment speaks loudly to many challenges:

• Consumerism and greed that fuel inequality.

• Corruption in public life that robs the poor of their rights.

• Exploitation of workers through unjust wages and conditions.

• Environmental abuse, which is stealing from future generations.

Thus, this commandment calls Christians to be countercultural—choosing honesty, fairness, and stewardship over selfish gain.

Conclusion

The Seventh Commandment—“You shall not steal”—is not only about refraining from taking what is not ours. It is about cultivating a heart that values honesty, respects justice, and lives in generosity. By obeying this commandment, we learn to see our possessions not as private treasures but as gifts entrusted by God to be used for the common good.

To live this commandment fully is to become a people of integrity, compassion, and generosity, following the example of Christ who gave everything so that we might have life in abundance.