Bible Verses When Someone Steals From You

Dear friends, when we become victims of theft, feelings of violation and anger are natural reactions. Yet, the Bible enlightens us on how to solve such situations with a godly perspective.

Although theft is undeniably wrong, it’s crucial to prevent our hearts from becoming consumed by bitterness. Holding onto grudges ultimately wounds us more than the person who committed the act. Jesus taught us to extend love even to our adversaries and to lift prayers for those who mistreat us. Such love isn’t born from human nature but emerges from God’s Spirit within us.

Instead of dwelling on the loss, the Bible encourages us to focus on the invaluable riches we possess in Christ. He has vowed to cater to our every need. Worldly belongings might be lost, but the blessings we await in heaven are everlasting.

In the face of wrongdoing, we find solace in the fact that God observes everything and, in His time, will ensure justice. Rather than seeking vengeance, we can place our trust in His divine judgment.

While it’s valid to desire justice, the Bible advises us to not let anger dominate our actions. The world may advocate for retribution and animosity, but Christ’s path leads us towards forgiveness and harmony. This not only heals our souls but potentially the one who wronged us as well.

Every one of us has strayed from God’s ideals at some point. His boundless mercy means we aren’t in a position to look down on someone else. It’s solely by His grace that we find redemption for our missteps.

Dear friends, let’s now explore Bible scriptures that guide us in dealing with situations where someone has stolen from us.

God’s Commandments on Theft

These verses lay out the fundamental teachings of the Bible regarding theft, emphasizing that stealing is against God’s will and His commandments.

Leviticus 19:11
“Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another”

Exodus 20:15
“Thou shalt not steal”

Deuteronomy 5:19
“Neither shalt thou steal”

Proverbs 20:17
“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel”

Jeremiah 22:13
“Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work”

Ezekiel 33:15
“If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die”

Consequences of Stealing

The scriptures in this section focus on the repercussions of theft, both from a spiritual and societal perspective, highlighting the negative outcomes that can arise from such actions.

Proverbs 6:30-31
“Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house”

Zechariah 5:3
“Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it”

1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God”

Malachi 3:8-9
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation”

Luke 19:8
“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold”

Restitution and Repayment In Old Testament

Restitution is about making right what was wronged. These verses underline the importance of compensating for theft and emphasize the biblical principle of repayment.

Exodus 22:1-4
“If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double”

Numbers 5:6-7
“Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord , and that person be guilty; Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed”

Leviticus 6:4-5
“Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering”

Proverbs 6:31
“But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house”

Integrity and Honesty in Personal Dealings

These verses highlight the significance of honesty in transactions and interactions, underscoring the value of integrity and fairness in all dealings.

Proverbs 11:1
“A false balance is abomination to the Lord : but a just weight is his delight”

Leviticus 19:35-36
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt”

Proverbs 16:11
“A just weight and balance are the Lord ‘s: all the weights of the bag are his work”

Proverbs 20:23
“Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord ; and a false balance is not good”

Micah 6:11
“Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?”

Luke 16:10
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much”

Transformation from Thieves to Righteousness

Everyone can change. These verses depict the transformative power of God’s grace and how even those who once stole can turn to a path of righteousness.

Ephesians 4:28
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God”

Titus 2:10
“Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things”

1 Peter 4:15
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters”

2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”

Colossians 3:9-10
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”

Encouragements to Generosity over Theft

Rather than taking from others, the Bible encourages generosity. Bible scriptures emphasize the blessings and virtues of giving, as a preferred alternative to stealing.

Proverbs 11:24-25
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself”

Proverbs 19:17
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which he hath given will he pay him again”

Matthew 6:19-21
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”

Acts 20:35
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”

Luke 6:38
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”

Dealing with Those Who Steal

While it’s crucial to stand against theft, it’s equally important to address those who steal with compassion, wisdom, and justice. These verses offer guidance on managing situations involving thieves.

1 Peter 3:9
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing”

Matthew 18:15-17
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican”

Romans 12:17-21
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

Proverbs 25:21-22
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee”

1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men”

Romans 13:4
“For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil”