We come to the 8th commandment: “Do not steal.” Yet as we've said all along, the 10 Commandments are not so much a set of rules as they are a glimpse at God's DNA being poured into his people. So what is the opposite of stealing? How does that reveal the heart of God, even as it reveals what is broken about my own heart? Lots of groups agree "stealing is bad", but what could be beautiful enough to change the heart of a thief? Let's walk toward the cross together and see how God transforms self-centered 'takers' like me into self-sacrificial 'givers' like himself. If God is joyfully generous, how will he make us like himself?
Discussion Questions
The early Church's generosity was a major contributor to the Church's growth. (Acts 4:32-5:6) "They had all things in common" yet "while it remained unsold, did it not remain yours…" How does this challenge your politics and, more importantly, how you view your possessions? How exactly does the Church grow as a result of generosity? How does hoarding limit the Church’s potential?
the variety of theft
When you hear the word "steal", what are the most immediate examples that come to mind? We tend to think of examples most removed from ourselves. What are the most common examples of stealing in your career path?
The Bible talks about being "open-handed" (Deuteronomy 15:11) toward the vulnerable. Where do you tend to be "close-fisted"?
God says his people are "robbing" him in Malachi 3:6-10. If everything is God's, why does he command the tithe? 3/4 of American Christians give less than 10% of their income. Those who make over $100,000 say they don’t have enough. How does a lifestyle of giving change what you want? Have you ever gone from greed to generosity in some small area of your life? Talk about a bigger area that needs that kind of attention and transformation.
the motive for theft
Where does your money flow effortlessly? Why does spending that kind of money in other categories feel like such a burden? Does your use of money expose your spiritual priorities? Read Matthew 6:19-21.
John D Rockefeller was asked how much money one man needs. Despite being the richest man in the world at the time, he said "just a little bit more than he has." Do you currently feel that way? What might that imply about possible ways you are asking money to be more than just money?
Do you worry more about your financial condition or spiritual condition? Do you worry more about your job situation or your relationship with God? Which more accurately reflects your thinking and behavior: "He wants to take 10% of my stuff" or "It's all his and he's letting me use 90% of it"?
Some seek money as a means of security, stability, control, or even significance. Do any of those resonate in your motives? Are you storing money in the “safe”? Is the “safe” empty?
the opposite of theft
What is the tangible way for a thief to stop stealing in Ephesians 4:28? How do you get a 'taker' to become a 'giver'? Are hard work, ownership, and sacrificial giving in and of themselves sufficient to transform a thief? Why not?
Jesus said, "with their lips they praise me, but their hearts are far from me." How could sacrificial giving become a joyful experience instead of a painful obligation? What is a prerequisite for giving to be joyful?
Jesus was crucified between two thieves. Read 2 Corinthians 8:9 and Romans 8:32. The Rescue came before the Rules. So then, what does it look like for us to grow in generosity rather than giving because we think we owe. Why do we stash food under the bed if we’ve already been adopted into His family?
How is God as a Father using your money to help you see something much more valuable about life? To the degree that your money is just money, how might that be liberating? What priorities and behaviors will change as a result of this discussion? Try to be specific.
How can PCC South Bay be generous toward the South Bay? Beyond finances, how can we as a body demonstrate God's relational generosity to our neighbors? How might the vision of planting churches reflect that same sort of sacrificial giving of resources in the next decade for our church?
