The Eighth Commandment

This commandment has given me some problems trying to figure out how to elaborate on what Jesus has said. I am a fairly literal person, taking what has been said near word for word. I do look to definitions of words and try to elaborate that way, but truthfully I was not able to elaborate on this one very much.

Old Testament:
Exodus 20:15 - Thou shalt not steal (KJV)

New Testament:
Matthew 19:18 - He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (KJV)
AND
1 Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

There are a few other places in the NT where we are instructed not to steal and that theives will not inherit the kingdom of God.

What does steal mean? Webster's defines steal as: to take the property of another wrongfully and especially as a habitual or regular practice.

Great treasures says steal is defined as "to steal, take by stealth (not by violence)" -- this is the definition for the greek word for steal.

Just because the greek word for steal does not include taking by use of violence, I do not think that it is allowable. We are taught by Jesus' example to do no harm to anyone. We know that stealing, by both government law and by Biblical law is wrong. Even though sometiems we may think of it as "borrowing and I'll return it later before she notices it's gone", that is still stealing, is it not?

I prefer to think of stealing as taking without permission. That is the definition I grew up knowing and I think even though it is more broad, it is a definition that I will be teaching my children if I am blessed to have any in the future.

If anyone has anything they would like to add to this, as always, your comments and thoughts are welcome :)

Blessings in Christ,