The Ten Commandments
Q13. What is the Seventh Commandment?
You shall not steal.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Exodus 20:15
“Thou shalt not steal.”
Deuteronomy 5:19
“Neither shalt thou steal.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does the Seventh Commandment say?
- 2
Does stealing only mean taking big things, or does it include small things too?
- 3
Have you ever taken something small, like a sibling's snack or someone's seat, and told yourself it did not count?
Illustration
A boy finds a five-dollar bill on the playground. He knows it probably fell out of another kid's pocket. He could keep it and no one would know. But God would know. Stealing is not defined by whether you get caught. It is defined by whether you took what belongs to someone else.
Application
If you have something that belongs to someone else, return it this week. If you cannot think of anything, look for a chance to be extra honest, like pointing out when a cashier gives too much change. Ask God to make you trustworthy in small things.
Read Luther’s expanded teaching
From the Large Catechism (1529)