Exodus 20:15 “Thou shalt not steal.”
The 8th Commandment deals with living in an ethical manner (in obedience to God’s law) as opposed to a manipulative manner (cutting whatever corners necessary to get what one wants).
This commandment stops us from committing one of the more common forms of cutting corners: theft. Face it, in many instances it’s easier to steal what you want than to work for it. The Apostle Paul says, “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” (Ephesians 4:28). Instead of stealing, the thief needs to work and give a portion of the fruits to another person who has need. In other words, he needs to stop thinking about his needs at the expense of the needs of his next victim and he must stop cutting corners and start living by obedience to God’s law (ethically).
There is a proverb that says, “A man who will not teach his son a trade teaches him to become a thief.” Dominion is taken through work, but it is given away through theft, including theft through excessive, unbiblical taxes.
Families must learn to work, tithe, and give to the local church. A man who will not work will almost certainly not tithe and if he doesn’t work or tithe, he will most certainly steal.
