Don't Steal; Do the Opposite

 "You shall not steal." 
-Exodus 20:15

I doubt I could find someone, outside of the sociopaths club, that disagrees with this command.  When I've written about the other commands I've written about how the Ten Commandments are in part designed as laws for a flourishing community.  I don't have to twist your arm to convince you that not stealing is good for society.

The idea of private property is fundamental to a society that is to thrive and the key to private property is the prohibition of stealing.  

Now I could spend time on the ways we steal, because we do.  We might not shoplift, but we have all stolen company time (some of you are doing that right now while reading this).  We've taken paperclips, printed papers... we've stolen.

But doing that is likely a waste of time.

The antithesis of stealing is not not stealing.  Christians aren't called to simply not steal.  Not stealing is the bare minimum.  Not stealing is far better than stealing.  Not stealing is necessary for a functioning community, but I believe we're called to do more than not steal.

The opposite of stealing is giving.

The Christian's heart is so changed by the God of the universe that not only do they not steal, but they give generously.  How tempted is the man that gives abundantly to steal?  Giving not only is the opposite of stealing but it is an antidote to it.  If it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), how much better is it to give than to steal!  The woman who holds on to her own stuff loosely won't take the stuff of others.  In fact, that person will be even be able to deal with their possessions being stolen.

"...If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  Do to others as you would have them do to you."  Luke 6:29b-31

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything... all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44

You shall not steal; you shall give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) today.