What Does The Bible Say About Someone Stealing From You?

Theft and being stolen from can be deeply upsetting experiences. When someone takes something that belongs to us, it’s natural to feel angry, violated, and want justice.

For Christians, it can also bring up questions about how God wants us to respond when someone steals from us. What do the scriptures say we should do when faced with theft?

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible teaches forgiveness and warns against vengeance when wronged, but also upholds justice and punishment for theft. Christians are called to compassion but can seek legal recourse. Now, let’s explore this topic in-depth…

Old Testament Teachings on Theft and Justice

Exodus 20:15 – Commandment Against Stealing

One of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses was “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). This straightforward commandment established theft as a serious offense.

Through this commandment, God makes it clear that taking something that does not belong to you is morally wrong.

This commandment protects private property rights. What belongs to someone else is not yours for the taking. As the catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The seventh commandment forbids theft, that is, usurping another’s property against the reasonable will of the owner”.

Stealing is an offense against both God and neighbor.

Exodus 22 – Laws About Restitution for Stolen Property

In Exodus 22, God gives various laws about making restitution when property is stolen. For example, “Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep” (v.1).

The consequence was to pay significantly more back than what was stolen.

Verse 7 adds that “If anyone gives a neighbor silver or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double. “

This law created accountability for those entrusted with another’s property. Negligence could require doubling compensation for theft based on the loss to the victim.

The principles behind these OT laws aim to prevent theft by making the consequences severe enough to deter it.

The punishment tries to fit the crime in order to establish justice. As columnist David Servant explains, “The victim was to be repaid adequately for his loss, and the thief was penalized”.

Proverbs 6:30-31 – Warning Against Theft

The wisdom book of Proverbs gives this stern warning: “People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house” (vv.30-31).

Here we see theft is considered morally wrong even in desperate situations.

Though there may be empathy for a starving thief, restitution is still strictly required. As the IVP Bible Background Commentary explains, “The law did not provide lighter punishments for stealing out of need. Taking what belonged to someone else was always wrong”.

These OT passages teach us that stealing is a sinful violation of others’ property rights. Though motives may differ, God desires justice and restitution. True repentance will seek forgiveness from both God and the victim by returning what was taken.

New Testament Guidance on Forgiveness and Justice

Matthew 5:38-42 – Turning the Other Cheek

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers to “turn the other cheek” when someone wrongs them. Instead of retaliating or seeking vengeance, Christians should respond peacefully and forgive those who have harmed them (Matthew 5:38-42).

This radical approach runs counter to human instincts for justice and sets a high standard for grace.

Jesus himself modeled this kind of forgiveness when he prayed for God to forgive those who crucified him, saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Christians believe they are called to follow Christ’s example.

However, questions remain about how to balance forgiveness with justice in complex situations of oppression or abuse.

Romans 12:17-21 – Living Peaceably and Leaving Vengeance to God’s Wrath

The apostle Paul exhorts Christians not to “repay anyone evil for evil” but to “live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:17-18).

Believers are called to resist the human urge for revenge when wronged. Instead, they believe God will ultimately right all wrongs and judge justly (Romans 12:19).

Paul goes even further to say Christians should “overcome evil with good” and bless those who persecute them (Romans 12:20-21). Remarkably, he calls Christians to feed and give drink to their enemies. This approach seems unrealistic to many.

Yet some Christian leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. have put these radical ideas into transformative practice through nonviolent resistance.

1 Corinthians 6:7-8 – Seeking Legal Justice When Wronged

Paul cautions the Corinthian church against believers suing each other in secular courts. He sees this as a defeat and calls them to sacrifice for the sake of peace in the church body (1 Corinthians 6:7).

However, he affirms there are times when believers experience real wrongs that should be made right, saying “Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1 Corinthians 6:7).

Paul seems to leave room here for seeking justice when genuinely wronged, through proper channels.

Some Christian ethicists argue Paul is calling disputes to be settled within the church context instead of the public court system.

Others say Christians have a moral right to pursue external legal action in cases of criminal offenses like assault or theft, especially when the aim is preventing further harm by the perpetrator.

Pastoral Advice for Victims of Theft

Be Angry, But Don’t Sin

It’s understandable to feel angry when someone steals from you. After all, they have taken something that doesn’t belong to them and violated your trust. However, the Bible cautions us not to “sin by letting anger control you.”

(Psalm 4:4 NLT) We should acknowledge our anger, but be careful not to let it cause us to sin through revenge, bitterness, or holding onto a grudge (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Pray for God to help you process your emotions in a healthy way.

Forgive, But You Can Still Seek Justice

Forgiving someone who has stolen from you can be very difficult. However, Jesus commands us to “forgive others their offenses” (Matthew 6:14).

Forgiveness is a choice we make for our own healing, and it doesn’t necessarily mean trusting the thief again.

You can forgive someone without reconciling the relationship. And you can forgive while still seeking justice by reporting the crime to authorities (Romans 13:1-4). The goal is clearing out bitterness from your heart, even if the legal process takes time.

Pray for the Thief

Praying for someone who has harmed you can seem counterintuitive. But Jesus told us to “pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). Rather than obsessing over the wrong committed against you, bring the thief before God in prayer.

Pray that his heart would be changed, that he would repent, and that he would come to know the transforming love of Christ.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

Trust God Will Repay You

It’s easy to want to take matters into your own hands when someone steals from you. However, the Bible says, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

Surrender your right to get even to God, trusting that He sees the injustice done and will make it right in His time.

“The Lord is the one who will pay back those who do evil to others” (Proverbs 24:12 NCV). He is perfectly just and will redeem your loss. Cast your cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Conclusion

Being stolen from hurts, but the Bible calls Christians to rise above vengeance and overcome evil with good.

While we can seek justice, we must guard our hearts against bitterness and trust God to heal the pain. If you’ve been victimized by theft, bring your anger and hurt to God in prayer.

Let the Spirit soften your heart to forgive, even as you take practical steps to stop further theft and make restitution. God sees all things, including the sins done against you, and His perfect justice will make all things right in the end.