Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.51LIKELY
Disgust
0.17UNLIKELY
Fear
0.1UNLIKELY
Joy
0.57LIKELY
Sadness
0.52LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.81LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.61LIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.78LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.74LIKELY
Extraversion
0.29UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.57LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.72LIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Introduction
(My stealing story…)
This morning we are going to look at the eighth commandment in our Encounter with the Ten and see we all must deal honestly with God and with other people when it comes to possessions.
Turn to Deut.
5:19
Body
When I think of the word “stealing,” the first thoughts that come to my mind is someone with pantyhose over his face holding up a bank or gas station…or my journey into big time candy theft from Bart’s Mini-Mart.
And while both are stealing and sinful in the eyes of God, we need to understand that stealing is something that we can all fall into the trap of, even if you don’t rob a bank or steal boxes of disgusting treats.
OT Context:
The Hebrew verb translated as “steal” means to take without the owner’s consent.
Throughout the OT, stealing is treated as a serious issue with serious consequences.
It is linked with dealing falsely and lying to people.
A thief was expected to pay restitution to a person they stole from, typically the cost of the item doubled.
A person convicted of kidnapping was to be killed.
Stealing was often linked with those who were too lazy to work for themselves and the greedy.
And, in one of the ugliest examples of stealing in the OT, we see Achan steals some valuable items from Jericho; some of which were to be destroyed and others were meant to go to the service of God.
Achan’s sin would result in Israel being defeated by the small city of Ai, thirty-six Jewish men being killed in the conflict, and Achan his family being stoned to death.
All of this because God wants His people to honor personal property.
“Property is sacred because it is the fruit of our labor and our intelligence, and often because it is tied to some of the deepest elements of memory and sentiment.
Property is important not necessarily [because] we are materialistic, but because property is so much a part of our very person, including memory, achievement, and dreams.”
Thus, God wants us to treat another person with love and respect by not taking the fruit of their labor or intelligence without consent.
And therefore, there is a law pertaining to personal property.
Interestingly, however, the OT Law was far less brutal when it came to stealing than the laws of their neighbors.
Throughout the ANE people were often killed or maimed for stealing.
In OT Law, typically the focus was restitution, not death or cutting off body parts.
This was because, when it comes to human relationships, a person’s relationship with God, honoring human life, and honoring the marital relationship mattered much more than personal property.
And yet, there is a clear call to payback what was stolen, and to pay extra as well.
What does Jesus say about this?
Unlike in the case of murder and adultery, Jesus did not have one of his, “You have heard it said…but I say to you” statements when it came to stealing.
However, it is closely linked with one of Jesus most important commands.
To begin, look at what Paul says in Romans 13.
Much of Jesus teaching in the NT focuses on the unconditional call to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
In fact:
If we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, then we must honor and respect another person’s property.
Therefore, we should not steal.
Many, if not most of us here this morning would probably not classify ourselves as thieves.
And rightfully so.
But, I think we need to understand that stealing today is more than the guy with the pantyhose over his face or eleven year old Ben Trigsted stealing Nerds candy.
How might people steal today?
Stealing other people’s property and/or money;
It’s important to remember, however, there is no provision in Scripture for us to justify stealing from another person...
Failing to give;
Cheating;
Being lazy at work;
Being too lazy to work;
Deceiving customers or employees;
Defaulting on loans;
Deceiving the government;
Small, seemingly insignificant ways...
Get the point?
Anytime we try to take what we haven’t earned without consent, we are guilty of stealing.
Instead of that, look at Paul’s charge in Ephesians:
We are to do an honest days work, whatever we end up doing.
Additionally, instead of stealing, we need to give to others in need.
Consider this: stealing, whatever form it takes, stems from a heart that is not satisfied with the provisions and opportunities God has given.
It says, in essence, “God isn’t giving me what I want, so I’m going to take it for myself!”
Instead of recognizing two truths:
God gives us what seems best to Him;
We often squander what God has given us on foolishness instead of using it wisely.
So What?
Do not steal, even in small, seemingly insignificant ways.
Do an honest day’s work.
Focus on using God’s provision wisely and blessing others.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9