Why They Steal

A thief is someone who deliberately takes something belonging to someone else without permission. At times thievery may seem justified by personal need. “I was in a tough situation,” recalls one impoverished youth. “I would go to the back of a [fast food restaurant] and kick open the door and take some chicken. But that’s all. I only did it because I was hungry.”

Says a Bible proverb: “People do not despise a thief just because he commits thievery to fill his soul when he is hungry.” Even so, stealing is morally wrong. The next Bible verse thus showed that even a hungry thief had to “make it good” by payment of a severe penalty.​—Proverbs 6:30, 31.

Getting God’s Viewpoint

The prospect of owning things you can’t afford, of enjoying high-​risk thrills, or of being accepted by peers may make stealing seem attractive. Nevertheless, one of the Ten Commandments in the Bible is: “You must not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) The apostle Paul wrote that ‘thieves will not inherit God’s kingdom.’ (1 Corinthians 6:10) God’s viewpoint should be of particular concern to youths who have been raised as Christians. How hypocritical it would be to put on the appearance of righteousness and secretly carry on as a thief! The apostle Paul put it this way: “Do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching ‘Do not steal,’ do you steal?”​—Romans 2:21.

The humiliating prospect of being arrested is reason enough to avoid the vice of stealing. After being apprehended, one young thief said: “I wanted to die.” Knowing that Jehovah ‘hates robbery’ is the strongest reason to avoid giving in to the impulse​—or pressure—​to steal. (Isaiah 61:8) Even if one is able to conceal thievery from store officials, police, and parents, one cannot hide it from Jehovah. Exposure is inevitable.​—Isaiah 29:15.

Remember, too, that sin hardens a person. (Hebrews 3:13) Petty thefts tend to escalate to more brazen and reckless acts. Young Roger, for example, started his life of crime by stealing money from his mother’s purse. In time he was knocking elderly women to the ground and stealing their purses!

Fighting the Temptation

Admittedly, if one has begun stealing in secret, quitting may not be easy. “It was kind of an addiction,” admitted one youth. What can help a youth to change his or her ways?

Confess your sin to God. He will “forgive in a large way” those who repent of their wrongs and openly confess to him.​—Isaiah 55:7.

Get help. Many readers of this magazine are acquainted with the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in their area. Such ones can seek out the local Christian overseers and request spiritual help and correction. (James 5:14, 15) Parents who have good moral principles can also prove to be a source of help and support. If hurt, pain, or simple boredom is behind the misconduct, talking about things with a compassionate listener may prove very helpful.​—Proverbs 12:25.

Make restitution. Under the Mosaic Law, thieves were required to pay back stolen goods with interest. (Leviticus 6:4, 5) Doing similarly not only helps clear one’s conscience but also impresses upon one the hardship stealing causes others. The Bible promises that when a person “pays back the very things taken by robbery, and actually walks in the very statutes of life . . . , he will positively keep living. He will not die.”​—Ezekiel 33:15.

Stifle feelings of envy and greed. The last of the Ten Commandments is, “You must not desire . . . anything that belongs to your fellowman.” (Exodus 20:17) If there is something that you really need​—or want—​but cannot afford, perhaps you can find a way to earn the money to purchase it. The apostle Paul advised: “Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is good work.”​—Ephesians 4:28.

Watch your associates. “If you are with a friend or a group of friends who do something wrong or commit a crime,” reminds writer Denise Lang, “you will also be considered guilty simply for being at the scene with them.” Have the strength to say no if peers suggest doing something illegal.​—Proverbs 1:10-19.

Consider the harm stealing does to others. A thief thinks only of himself. But Jesus counsels us: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” (Matthew 7:12) When one learns to care about other people, one is less inclined to do something that could cause others harm.

Think of the consequences to you. (Galatians 6:7) Instead of thinking about how nice it would be to own that shiny trinket or gadget that you cannot afford, think about how embarrassing it would be to be caught and prosecuted; think of the reproach you would bring on your parents and on God himself! You will surely conclude that stealing is not such a good idea after all.